Tag: Malnutrition coding

According to a 2025 review, the prevalence of malnutrition among a study of older adults was 22.8%. Accurately documenting and knowing how should malnutrition that progresses in severity be coded is therefore crucial for capturing the patient's clinical picture and ensuring correct reimbursement.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition encompasses deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. Learning how to code malnutrition accurately is crucial for healthcare providers and medical coders, as it directly impacts patient care, reimbursement, and data quality. Accurate coding requires specific clinical documentation that meets established standards, such as those from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN).

According to official ICD-10-CM guidelines, a BMI code alone is not sufficient to report a patient's weight-related condition, and a specific weight-related diagnosis must be documented by a provider. So, do you code BMI with malnutrition? The answer is nuanced, requiring both codes with specific documentation.