Wiki When do you code the BMI?

[songstresspyt@yahoo.com]

If a physician diagnoses a patient as overweight, obese, or with morbid obesity do they have to code the BMI as well? I was taught through Department of Defense coding that a BMI should be coded as well, but now that I'm on the civilian side of coding I'm not so sure this applies.

Help!

 

[britbrit852003]

Yes you will need to code the BMI if codes 278.00-278.03 are used. The books instructs you to do so "Use additional code to identify Body Mass Index (BMI), if known (V85.0-V85.54)"

 

[erjones147]

I always code BMI when I get the height and weight for all 278.00/278.01

The thing I have to watch out for is the pediatric BMIs extending until 21st birthday

 

[songstresspyt@yahoo.com]

Ok thank you guys for the help!

 

[rossman283]

BMI's

They can make HCC Coding a lot easier as well.
Morbid Obesity risk adjusts on its own, if the BM>39.9, so be sure to list it.
Obesity with a BMI>34.9 can as well, with certain comorbid conditions.
Always listing the BMI V code makes it easier to catch.

 

[lasmus]

Coders cannot calculate the BMI with the height and weight.