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Plethysmography to Compute BMI

Published on Thu Nov 19, 2009

Question: When measuring the BMI using an electronic scale, can we use 93720 (Plethysmography, total body; with interpretation and report)? Florida Subscriber Answer: It would not be appropriate to use 93720 to code for a body mass index (BMI) calculation using an electronic scale. Since the measurement of the body mass index is part of the physical examination (it is computed from the weight and height of the patient), consider the measurement part of the E/M service (such as 99201- 99215, Office or Other Outpatient Services) provided to the patient. Link this to the appropriate body mass index V code, such as V85.0 (Body mass index less than 19, adult). Plethysmography is not a procedure used to measure BMI. Although several investigators have certainly used plethysmography to determine body composition, particularly in morbidly obese cases, this test's purpose was to determine other parameters; for example body density and fat free [...]
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