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E66.01
ICD-10-CM
Morbid Obesity

Find comprehensive information on morbid obesity, including clinical documentation, ICD-10-CM codes (E66.01, E66.09), BMI calculation, medical coding guidelines, and healthcare best practices for diagnosis and treatment. Learn about associated comorbidities, weight management strategies, and bariatric surgery considerations. This resource provides essential information for healthcare professionals, coders, and patients seeking to understand morbid obesity.

Also known as

Severe Obesity
Extreme Obesity
obesity class iii
+1 more

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : BMI of 40 or greater, significantly increasing health risks.
  • Clinical Signs : Excessive body fat, difficulty with physical activity, sleep apnea, joint pain.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, weight management clinics, bariatric surgery centers.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC E66.01 Coding
E66.01

Morbid (severe) obesity due to excess calories

Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, due to excessive calorie intake.

E66.09

Other morbid (severe) obesity

BMI of 40 or greater, unspecified cause or other factors.

E66.8

Other obesity

Includes obesity related to drug, other specified or unspecified obesity.

E66.9

Unspecified obesity

Obesity without further specification of BMI or cause.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

BMI documented?

  • Yes

    BMI >= 40?

  • No

    Insufficient documentation for morbid obesity. Query physician.

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Morbid Obesity
Severe Obesity
Obesity

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Morbid obesity diagnosis: Documented BMI >= 40
  • ICD-10-CM code E66.01: Morbid (severe) obesity documented
  • Supporting documentation: Height, weight, BMI calculation details
  • Comorbidities: Document obesity-related conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)
  • Assessment: Detailed history and physical exam findings related to obesity

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • BMI Coding Errors

    Inaccurate BMI documentation or coding leading to incorrect morbid obesity diagnosis (E66.01) and impacting reimbursement.

  • Comorbidity Documentation

    Insufficient documentation of obesity-related comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) affecting severity and coding accuracy.

  • Unspecified Obesity

    Coding obesity as unspecified (E66.9) instead of morbid obesity when documentation supports E66.01, causing undercoding.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Accurate BMI coding (Z68.41-Z68.45) with ICD-10 guidelines.
  • Detailed documentation of comorbidities linked to obesity for CDI.
  • Consistent use of SNOMED CT for precise obesity diagnosis.
  • Regular chart reviews for compliant obesity management.
  • Patient education documented for improved healthcare compliance.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify BMI >= 40 kg/m2 (ICD-10 E66.01)
  • Document comorbid conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)
  • Assess impact on functional status and quality of life
  • Review prior weight loss attempts and treatments

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Morbid Obesity Reimbursement: Accurate coding (E66.01) impacts MS-DRG assignment and payment.
  • Coding Quality Metrics: Correct E66.01 coding affects obesity reporting, severity measures, and quality scores.
  • Hospital Reporting Impact: Precise documentation and coding improve data accuracy for public health and resource allocation.
  • Denial Management: Proper E66.01 coding with supporting documentation reduces claim denials for morbid obesity.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code E66.01 for BMI 40+
  • Document BMI & comorbid conditions
  • Specify if due to hypothalamic dysfunction
  • Query physician if BMI unclear
  • Validate code with ICD-10 guidelines

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with morbid obesity, clinically significant obesity, or severe obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater with obesity-related comorbidities.  The patient's current BMI is [Insert BMI value].  Weight management history includes [Insert prior weight loss attempts, diets, programs, surgeries, medications].  Comorbidities related to obesity include [List comorbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and any other relevant conditions].  The patient reports [Insert patient's chief complaint related to obesity, e.g., shortness of breath, joint pain, difficulty with mobility].  Physical examination reveals [Insert relevant physical findings, e.g., abdominal adiposity, elevated blood pressure].  Assessment includes discussion of the health risks associated with morbid obesity and the need for weight loss intervention.  Plan includes [Outline the treatment plan, including lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy options for weight loss if appropriate, and consideration for bariatric surgery.  Specify referrals to registered dietitians, certified diabetes educators, or mental health professionals if applicable.  Document patient education regarding healthy eating habits, portion control, physical activity recommendations, and the importance of adherence to the treatment plan].  Follow-up scheduled for [Insert date and time of next appointment] to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.  ICD-10 code E66.01 (Morbid obesity) is documented for billing and coding purposes.
Morbid Obesity - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation