Overweight ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Overweight  

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), is a system healthcare professionals use to categorize and code different diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures. These are the overweight ICD codes:

1. E66 - Overweight and Obesity: This code serves as the primary category for conditions related to overweight and obesity. It's utilized when a patient's excess weight poses a health risk but doesn't fall into more specific classifications.
2. Z68.41 - Body Mass Index (BMI) 40.0-44.9, adult: This code is used when an adult patient has a BMI of 40.0-44.9, indicating severe obesity. The high BMI suggests that the individual's weight significantly exceeds what is generally considered healthy for height.
3. Z68.42 - Body Mass Index (BMI) 45.0-49.9, adult: If an adult patient's BMI falls 45.0-49.9, this code denotes extreme obesity. This level of obesity typically requires comprehensive medical intervention.
4. Z68.43 - Body Mass Index (BMI) 50.0 or higher, adult: This code is applied to adult patients with a BMI of 50.0 or higher. This category, often called super obese, signifies a critical health condition requiring immediate and aggressive treatment.
5. E66.01 - Morbid (Severe) Obesity Due to Excess Calories: This code is employed when a patient's morbid obesity is directly linked to excessive caloric intake. It's particularly useful in cases where dietary habits are the primary cause of the patient's condition.
6. E66.9 - Obesity, unspecified: When a patient is obese, but the specific cause hasn't been determined or isn't easily categorized, this code is used. It allows for classifying obesity without attributing it to a particular source.

These ICD-10 codes play a vital role in clinical settings. They facilitate accurate record-keeping, help track public health trends, guide treatment strategies, and streamline billing processes. Understanding how to apply these codes correctly is a key component of effective medical practice management.

This explainer video might be helpful. 

Which Overweight  ICD codes are Billable

ICD-10 codes are used not only for diagnosing patients but also for billing purposes. Here are some common overweight and obesity-related ICD-10 codes and their billability:

1. E66 - Overweight and Obesity: Yes, this is a billable code. It is used in general for conditions related to overweight and obesity.
2. Z68.41 - Body Mass Index (BMI) 40.0-44.9, adult: Yes, this is a billable code. It applies when an adult patient's BMI is 40.0-44.9, indicating severe obesity.
3. Z68.42 - Body Mass Index (BMI) 45.0-49.9, adult: Yes, this is a billable code. Medical professionals use this code when an adult patient's BMI is within the range of 45.0-49.9, signifying extreme obesity.
4. Z68.43 - Body Mass Index (BMI) 50.0 or higher, adult: Yes, this is a billable code. This code is used when an adult patient's BMI is 50.0 or higher, categorizing the patient as super obese.
5. E66.01 - Morbid (Severe) Obesity Due to Excess Calories: Yes, this is a billable code. It is employed when a patient's morbid obesity is directly linked to excessive caloric intake.
6. E66.9 - Obesity, unspecified: Yes, this is a billable code. This code is used when a patient is obese, but the specific cause hasn't been determined.

While these codes are generally billable, coverage may depend on the insurance provider and policy. Always verify coverage and billability with the specific insurance provider.

Clinical Information

• Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. They are major risk factors for several chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
• The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and expended. This can result from an increased intake of energy-dense foods high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals, and other healthy micronutrients.
• In addition, a decrease in physical activity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization can contribute to energy imbalance.
• Measures of body mass index (BMI), which is a simple index of weight-for-height, are used to classify overweight and obesity in adults.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight is defined as having a BMI equal to or higher than 25 for adults. In contrast, obesity is defined as having a BMI equal to or higher than 30.
• For children under 5, overweight is weight-for-height greater than 2 standard deviations above WHO Child Growth Standards median; and obesity is weight-for-height greater than 3 standard deviations above the WHO Child Growth Standards median.
• It's important to note that these conditions are largely preventable through a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
• Early detection of overweight and obesity conditions through regular monitoring of BMI and waist circumference can help prevent complications associated with these conditions.
• Management of obesity primarily involves lifestyle changes such as improved dietary habits and increased physical activity. In some cases, medication or surgery may be recommended.

Synonyms Include

• Excessive Weight
• Overweightness
• Heaviness
• Corpulence
• Obesity