BMI Qualifications

Body Mass Index is a ratio of weight to height. Your insurance company has specific requirements regarding your BMI in determining your eligibilty for benefits. Medical professionals use the BMI number in evaluating overall health of patients. BMI is broken down into the following categories:

• Normal Weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9
• Obesity Category I: BMI of 30 to 34.5
• Obesity Category II: BMI of 35 to 39.9
• Morbid Obesity: BMI of 40 or higher

As a person’s BMI exceeds the normal range, their risk for obesity-related diseases increases. Highly trained athletes are not well-evaluated by a BMI scale, as their muscle mass to body fat ratio is vastly different from an average persons. Likewise, this BMI scale, does not apply to children.

These guidelines have been established by the National Institutes of Health. For specific insurance guidelines regarding BMI, consult our insurance coordinator, or your insurance provider.

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