Sept. 13, 2019
Maintaining a healthy weight is key to reducing the risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Reducing the risk of these factors decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement that screens for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Measuring and documenting your patients’ BMI can help you care for their long-term health.
You can help us collect data about our members by measuring and documenting their BMI at least once every two years. We use this data to measure and improve the quality of care our members receive. To make this process easier, follow these tips:
- Measure and report BMI using the appropriate ICD-10 Z codes during our members' office visit. This may help you avoid a request for medical records later
- If your office uses an electronic medical record:
- Ensure that the ICD-10, height, weight and calculated BMI or percentile transfers to the vitals sheet or progress notes with a date of service
- If your office uses paper charts:
- Calculate and document the BMI or BMI percentile using a BMI wheel or smartphone app
- Document the BMI in the medical record
- Be sure to include the date of service for each episode in the medical record
- ICD-10 Z-Codes must be used or medical records will be requested
NOTE: ICD-10 Z-codes for Adult BMI range from Z68.1 through Z68.44. ICD-10 Z-codes for Pediatric BMI range from Z68.51 through Z68.54. These must be used as a secondary code and are non-reimbursable.