Combatting Childhood Obesity: How Highmark is Helping Parents and Providers

Childhood obesity continues to be a concern, with nearly 20% of America’s youth considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As you know, children with obesity are at increased risk for health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), sleep apnea, and asthma.

What Can Be Done

To help parents and providers combat childhood obesity, Highmark offers expanded preventive health benefits for children ages 2 to 18 with a body mass index (BMI) in the 85th percentile or greater. These members are eligible for three follow-up visits per year to the annual preventive exam specifically for obesity and a blood pressure check.

Highmark’s preventive health benefit also includes:

• Unlimited nutritional counseling visits per year specifically for obesity
• One set of recommended lab work annually that includes:
  • Cholesterol screening
  • Hemoglobin A1c OR fasting glucose
  • AST (aspartate aminotransferase)

For coding information, click here.

Expert Guidance

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month — which occurs during September — provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the benefits of healthy eating habits and regular physical activity with parents and patients. These two types of counseling are both part of the Weight Assessment and Counseling in Children/Adolescents (WCC) HEDIS^® measure, which includes three components:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) Percentile
• Nutrition Counseling
• Physical Activity Counseling

In the member’s medical record, you will need to document that each component of the WCC measure was discussed with the patient, while utilizing the appropriate codes.

Your recommendations play a critical role in motivating patients to make healthier choices. Even small, positive changes can have a significant impact on a child's long-term health trajectory.