Question:
Does anyone know the different codes for obesity vs. morbid obesity. My insurance is

denying me because my insurance has an exclusion for "treatment of obesity" I told them morbid obesity and obesity were two different things, they say there is only one obesity. I thought I had read somewhere that there were to separate codes for obesity and morbid obesity.    — Tracy P. (posted on March 14, 2001)

March 14, 2001
My insurance classifies morbid obesity as being 100 lbs or more overweight with a BMI of 40 or more. They say that morbid obesity is different than being obese because your chances of having severe medical problems increases. I hope this helps. Hard to explain.
   — Tere F.

March 14, 2001
Tracy, My insurance co. originally had a clause of not dealing with any kind of weight issues-obese or morbidly obese. It didn't matter and there hands were tied. I was lucky at contract time it was added and as of this past Jan. I'm now covered. What about contacting Walter? He's the obesity attorney so many have spoken of. Maybe he could help. I know originally my insurance was no, means no,means no and that was it. Didn't matter if obese or morbidly obese. Good luck.
   — Linda M.

March 14, 2001
The ICD-9 diagnosis code used on my authorization letter was 278.01. Ask your doctors office to look up that code and see if it is just for morbid obesity.
   — Jilda H.