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  Tools to help you determine the BMI of your patient
 
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  Because it takes both height and weight into account, the Body Mass Index (BMI) has become the standard for gauging the level of obesity. The new "vital sign," BMI should be recorded on all patients. A diagnosis of overweight, obesity, or morbid obesity should have its place on the Problem List, and be coded on the claim.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

  1. What is BMI - A brief review of the utility and rationale of the BMI.
  2. BMI calculator - If you have the patient's height in feet and inches, and weight in pounds, this calculator does the rest.
  3. Adult BMI tables
  4. Pediatric BMI tables
    1. About BMI for children and teens
    2. Using BMI in children - CDC learning module
    3. BMI calculator for children and teens
  5. Pediatric BMI-for-age growth charts
    1. Use and interpretation of growth charts - CDC learning module
    2. Growth chart for boys
    3. Growth chart for girls
    4. BMI Percentile Calculator

ICD-9 codes to document obesity
Proper coding of obesity on the claim form helps identify your patients with obesity, and enables them to participate in BCBSNM's many outreach programs. These codes do not necessarily affect reimbursement.

Use these diagnostic codes for ADULT patients:

278.02 Overweight (BMI 26-29)
278.0 Obesity (BMI 30-34, or 35-39 if no comorbid conditions)
278.01 Morbid Obesity (BMI over 40, over 35-39 with comorbid conditions)

Use these diagnostic codes for PEDIATRIC patients (age 2-20):

278.02 Overweight (BMI > 95 percentile on growth chart)