denisek1028
Networker
A physician documents in the A/P obesity, unspecified, 278.00. However according to weight and BMI, patient is morbidly obese. Can we change this to represent this or do we have to go by what is documented by the physician?
-
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten your username or password use our password reminder tool. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..
Wiki Obesity diagnosis
- Thread starter denisek1028
- Start date
BlakeCarswell82
Guru
My ICD-9 book provides the DEF: Obesity NOS (BMI between 30.0 and 39.9) Morbid obesity (BMI 40 or greater) Overweight (BMI 25- 29.9). Since it is definied in the ICD 9 book and the BMI is documented, I see no reason not to code it as the ICD 9 book defines it.
Last edited:
mitchellde
True Blue
No you cannot change the providers diagnosis. The coding guidelines under general guidelines number 16, tells you that the clinician may calculate and document the BMI, but the clinical diagnosis of obesity must come from the provider and if they do not match the provider must be queried
Pam Warren
True Blue
There's a coding clinic on this (2Q2010); Deb's correct, you can't change the provider's diagnosis. You can get the BMI from a dietitian or nurse, but if they don't match, then you should query the provider for clarification.
MarcusM
Expert
Query the provider and most likely you will find the provider does not want to be the one who labeled a patient as "morbidly obese" even when the numbers indicate this. I review lots of records and have seen a patient with BMI of 40+ with the doctor stating "patient is slightly overweight."