Coding and reimbursement for weight loss surgery: best practice recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To review the use and usefulness of billing codes for services related to weight loss surgery (WLS) and to examine third party reimbursement policies for these services. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The Task Group carried out a systematic search of MEDLINE, the Internet, and the trade press for publications on WLS, coding, reimbursement, and coding and reimbursement policy. Twenty-eight articles were each reviewed and graded using a system based on established evidence-based models. The Massachusetts Dietetics Association provided reimbursement data for nutrition services. Three suppliers of laparoscopic WLS equipment provided summaries of coding and reimbursement information. WLS program directors were surveyed for information on use of procedure codes related to WLS. RESULTS: Recommendations focused on correcting or improving on the current lack of congruity among coding practices, reimbursement policies, and accepted clinical practice; lack of uniform coding and reimbursement data across institutions; inconsistent and/or inaccurate diagnostic and billing codes; inconsistent insurance reimbursement criteria; and inability to leverage reimbursement and coding data to track outcomes, identify best practices, and perform accurate risk-benefit analyses. DISCUSSION: Rapid changes in the prevalence of obesity, our understanding of its clinical impact, and the technologies for surgical treatment have yet to be adequately reflected in coding, coverage, and reimbursement policies. Issues identified as key to effective change include improved characterization of the risks, benefits, and costs of WLS; anticipation and monitoring of technological advances; encouragement of consistent patterns of insurance coverage; and promotion of billing codes for WLS procedures that facilitate accurate tracking of clinical use and outcomes.

Criteria for patient selection and multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment of the weight loss surgery patient.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence-based guidelines for patient selection and to recommend the medical and nutritional aspects of multidisciplinary care required to minimize perioperative and postoperative risks in patients with severe obesity who undergo weight loss surgery (WLS). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Members of the Multidisciplinary Care Task Group conducted searches of MEDLINE and PubMed for articles related to WLS in general and medical and nutritional care in particular. Pertinent abstracts and literature were reviewed for references. Multiple searches were carried out for various aspects of multidisciplinary care published between 1980 and 2004. A total of 3000 abstracts were identified; 242 were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: We recommended multidisciplinary screening of WLS patients to ensure appropriate selection; preoperative assessment for cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and other obesity-related diseases associated with increased risk for complications or mortality; preoperative weight loss and cessation of smoking; perioperative prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE); preoperative and postoperative education and counseling by a registered dietitian; and a well-defined postsurgical diet progression. DISCUSSION: Obesity-related diseases are often undiagnosed before WLS, putting patients at increased risk for complications and/or early mortality. Multidisciplinary assessment and care to minimize short- and long-term risks include: comprehensive medical screening; appropriate pre-, peri-, and postoperative preparation; collaboration with multiple patient care disciplines (e.g., anesthesiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, and psychology); and long-term nutrition education/counseling.