There are 3 elements to OB005, practices must record all 3 elements –
- Medication – weight loss jab prescribed
- Referral for wraparound support – refer eligible patients to a structured behavioural weight management programme alongside prescribing obesity medication. This should ideally be an NHS-commissioned obesity medication behavioural support service such as The Healthier You: NHS Behavioural Support for Obesity Prescribing Programme or local commissioned services (as opposed to commercial weight-loss groups)
- Shared decision making (or the appropriate declined code) – note, these does are not yet available within your clinical system
3000401000000101 – NHS obesity medication wraparound support pathway declined (situation)
3020821000000104 – Unsuitable for NHS obesity medication wraparound support pathway
Many practices have said their patients don’t want to be referred; they would prefer to just be supported by the practice – this is quite a big ask when you consider what wraparound support entails (see below). However, if the patient declines, the above codes (included in the obesity business ruleset) can be used when they become available.
What does wraparound support entail:
Appropriate patients should be referred to a structured service to help them make sustainable changes to their weight, diet, physical activity and lifestyle. The important distinction is that it should be more than simply giving the patient weight-loss advice or a leaflet. A suitable programme would normally include goal setting, dietary & physical activity support, behaviour-change techniques and ongoing support.
Examples may include:
- NHS-funded weight management services – such as locally commissioned Tier 2 weight management programmes
- NHS Digital Weight Management Programme – for patients who meet the programme’s eligibility criteria
- Structured community weight management programmes – where they provide appropriate behavioural support
- Specialist weight management services – where clinically appropriate and the patient meets referral criteria
So, if the patient declines a referral, you will be able to use the above codes once they become available. We will keep you posted …
