Table 5.

Predominant Weight Management Delivery Models in Participating Practices

Distinguishing Feature	Description	Classification of Features	General Description of Model in Practice
Integrated into Standard Primary Care Model
Medical provider delivers weight management interspersed with other patient care	Medical provider provides individualized weight management counseling within the daily care of other patients	Visit type = individual Role of provider = Physician or APP Multidisciplinary team = Not usually Program development = Self or other Weight loss approach = Variable Methods to facilitate weight loss = Meds, apps, ed materials Counseling approaches = Variable Focus of practice = Blended Method of payment = Variable, usually E&M	Usually a physician, although can be an APP External program not needed due to professional expertise Focus on healthy lifestyle approach usually although some focus on high protein diet Other methods often included apps and use of medications Paid for by insurance billing and some patient co-pay
Other Professional Model
Another provider that is not the medical provider delivers the care	Medical provider identifies and refers internally to another professional to provide individual weight management counseling	Visit type = usually individual Role of provider = RDN, BHP, other Multidisciplinary team = Sometimes Program development = Self Weight loss approach = Lifestyle Methods to facilitate weight loss = Ed materials, Medications Counseling approaches = Variable Focus of practice = Variable Method of payment = Variable	Usually an RDN, although can be another knowledgeable provider External program not needed due to professional expertise Focus on healthy lifestyle approach Other methods usually not needed, but sometimes apps and educational materials utilized Paid for by insurance billing and some patient co-pay
Purchased (or Developed) Program Model
Following a program developed externally or self-development of a program that follows similar protocols	Practice contracts (purchases license) with a provider of weight management services to deliver the specified program within their practice	Visit type = individual Role of provider = physician, APP Multidisciplinary team = Sometimes Program development = other Weight loss approach = Often keto/protein, other Methods to facilitate weight loss = Ed materials, meal replacement, supplements Counseling approaches = Variable Focus of practice = Often full weight loss or partial weight loss Method of payment = Variable, often self-pay	Usually provided by a combination of visits with medical provider occasionally and health coach or medical assistant for regular check-ins External program licensed Focus on high protein/keto Other methods usually include meal replacement and/or supplements, and educational materials utilized Mostly paid for by patient self-pay, some insurance may cover physician visits
Model: Group program
Group delivery distinct from all other models	Patients gather together for a group educational and support program led by someone from the practice with group facilitation skills and knowledge and/or using a weight loss curriculum	Visit type = group Role of provider = APP, RDN, other Multidisciplinary team = Sometimes Program development = Self or other Weight loss approach = Lifestyle Methods to facilitate weight loss = Ed materials Counseling approaches = Variable Focus of practice = Blended Method of payment = Variable	Facilitator was usually an APP or health coach, but could be any knowledgeable provider Either developed program (not purchased) or self-developed if professional expertise Focus on healthy lifestyle approach Uses educational materials Paid for by IBT group visit, patient self-pay

Abbreviations: IBT, Intensive behavioral therapy for obesity; RDN, Registered dietitian nutritionists; APP, Advanced practice provider.