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How BMI Risk Works

BMI Risk

Evaluate your risk of developing long-term health conditions by using the advanced BMI Risk calculator. Receive risk notifications based on BMI and additional health metrics.

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How BMI Risk Works

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Service Guide

Everything You Need to Know About the BMI Risk Service

What is the BMI Risk Service and how does it work?

The BMI Risk Service is a clinical tool used to assess healthy weight in adult men and women. A healthy weight is defined as a value linked to a lower risk of weight-related diseases and health conditions.

Is BMI Risk Service safe for me to use?

Yes. The BMI Risk Service is classified as a class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations, for its intended use.

How do I use the BMI Risk Service to obtain my BMI Risk Score?

You can view your BMI Risk Score by navigating to the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of the account homepage. Here you will see the BMI Risk Service Card.

If you completed the ‘Health Profile’ information when you first created your NowPatient account, the score will automatically be calculated and appear within the Service Card.

If the ‘Health Profile’ was not completed, then you will see that the BMI Risk Service Card is locked. Click the ‘Unlock’ button on the Service Card. This will present you with a series of questions which you will need to complete. Once you have completed the questions, you will be redirected to the account homepage, where you will be able to see your Score on the BMI Risk Score Service Card.

Why is it important to know my BMI Risk Score & how will I be notified?

The BMI Risk Service identifies and classifies health risks. Our AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your BMI Risk Score.

If our algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, which will be sent to your device, as well as an In-App notification which can be viewed in your ‘Notifications’ Section of the account homepage.

You can also view the warning advisory by clicking the ‘View Warning’ button on the BMI Risk Service Card.

What do the BMI Risk Scores mean?

The below table highlights the meaning behind your risk score.

What do the BMI Risk Scores mean?

Score

Risk Category

Advice

Below 18.5

Underweight

It is very important that you speak to your doctor

18.5 – 24.9

Healthy weight

No action

25-29.9

Overweight

You are classed as high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increase activity, can reduce your chances of developing weight related, long term health complications like diabetes

It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test to check for conditions like diabetes, as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing.

30 and over

Obese

You are classed as very high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increase activity, can reduce your chances of developing weight related, long term health complications like diabetes.

It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test to check for conditions like diabetes, as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing.

If you are an NHS patient, your doctor can also refer you to weight management clinics to help you reduce your weight.

You may also qualify for NowPatient weight loss programs, which is a private treatment plan service.

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How is the NowPatient BMI Risk Service different to traditional BMI calculators?

Traditional BMI calculators only use your height and weight to determine if you are at a healthy weight.

The NowPatient BMI Risk Service is an advanced measure that also takes into consideration other parameters such as your age, sex, waist size and ethnicity. For example, If you’re from a black and ethnic minority group, you’re at increased risk of type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 23 or more.

The BMI Risk Service utilises the following special category data:

  • Age
  • Height
  • Weight
  • Ethnicity
  • Waist size

What should I do if my score puts me at risk of developing long-term conditions?

If the BMI Risk Service classifies you ‘At Risk’ of developing long-term health conditions, you can raise this with your doctor, at your next appointment.

NowPatient can also automatically qualify you for risk reducing strategies such as the ‘Weight Loss Programs Service’. You will be notified if you are eligible for this.

How do I update my score?

We advise all users to update the ‘Health Profile’ monthly and also before any NowPatient Service Consultations that you may book.

The updated information you submit to the ‘Health Profile’ may affect your BMI Risk Score. This will be reflected in the BMI Risk Service Card as an updated score. This allows you to track the benefits of any lifestyle or medication interventions.

Why are you asking me for my waist size?

Although we do not use this in the NowPatient BMI Risk calculation, waist size is important because carrying too much fat around your stomach can raise your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke, even if you have a healthy BMI.

If your waist size is:

  • >94cm (37ins) for men
  • >80cm (31.5ins) for women

It means you are carrying too much fat around your stomach which can raise your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. We recommend that you try and lose weight.

If your waist size is:

  • >102cm (40ins) for men
  • >88cm (34ins) for women

It means you are carrying too much fat around your stomach which can raise your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. We recommend that you try and lose weight. You have a very high risk of developing long-term health conditions. You should make an appointment with your GP.

How do I measure my waist size?

To measure your waist size, follow the following steps:

  1. Find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips
  2. Wrap a tape measure around your waist midway between these points
  3. Breathe out naturally before taking the measurement

If my waist size indicates health risks, how and how often will you notify me?

Our AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your Waist readings. If our algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, which will be sent to your device, as well as an In-App notification which can be viewed in your ‘Notifications’ Section of the account homepage.

We advise all users to update their waste readings monthly and also before any NowPatient Service Consultations that you may book.

Can I use the BMI Risk Service if I have an eating disorder?

No. If you have an eating disorder, the BMI Risk Service should not be used. Please get further advice from your doctor or other healthcare professional.

What are the limitations of the NowPatient BMI Risk Service?

The BMI Risk calculation does not factor in muscle mass, which is denser than fat. As a result, muscular adults and athletes may be classified as overweight or obese despite having low body fat. Conversely, older adults who lose muscle may fall within the healthy weight range even if they have excess body fat.

Additionally, the BMI Risk calculations should not be used for pregnant individuals, as pregnancy-related weight changes can affect accuracy.

Do I need to pay for using the BMI Risk Service?

No. The BMI Risk Service is a free service available for registered users of NowPatient.

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Medicines Experts

Meet Our Medical Team

We are a broad skilled and passionate group of clinicians with experience of operating in health systems in the United Kingdom & United States. Providing excellent care and advice is at the heart of everything we do. You can read more about our medical team by visiting the medical team page or learn more about how we curate content by visiting our editorial process

WHY WE BUILT NOWPATIENT

We Are Committed to Helping Everyone, Everywhere Live Healthier Lives

The NowPatient virtual care platform provides you with access to trusted health information, affordable treatments, management of chronic health conditions and continuous monitoring for health risks. NowPatient can be accessed by downloading the App or using your web browser.

Download our app today

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Your Questions Answered

For Your Peace of Mind, We Can Answer Your Questions Quickly

What does NowPatient do?

NowPatient is a digital health-technology platform functioning as both an online pharmacy and telehealth service. Packaged as a Class I software medical device, it’s accessible via web browser or mobile app (iOS and Android), and offers users worldwide on-demand access to virtual consultations, prescription services, and AI-powered health tools.

What It Does

    • NHS Online Pharmacy: Order NHS-approved prescriptions (UK)
    • Drug Savings: Access major US drug-savings programs (coupons, savings cards, manufacturer assistance, Canadian drug savings).
    • Virtual Consultations: Get treated for a wide range of medical conditions by expert clinicians using a secure telehealth link.
    • Medication Management: Set up refill & dose reminders, view private treatment plans, and track chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
  • Health-Monitoring Tools: Use AI-driven assessments for genetic risk tests, home test kits and blood-pressure monitoring.
  • Wellness Insights: Access real-time pollen counts, air-quality data, BMI and type 2 diabetes risk scores, plus comprehensive health-condition information.

Get started today and benefit from Medication RemindersGet Treated PrivatelyNHS Online PharmacyGP Appointment BookingRx Savings CardDrug CouponsUS Drug Savings ProgramsHealth Conditions InformationGenetic TestingHome Test KitsBMI RisksType 2 Diabetes RisksPollen MeterAir Quality Monitor, and lots more!

Our service is operated by experienced medical professionals in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Where is NowPatient located?

NowPatient has offices in the United Kingdom and United States.

In the UK, we are located at:

NowPatient
28 Chipstead Valley Road
Coulsdon
Surrey
CR52RA

In the US, we are located at:

NowPatient
8911 North Capital of Texas Highway
Suite 4200 #1263
78759
Austin, TX

How can I contact NowPatient?

To contact NowPatient, please use the contact form available on the Contact Us page.

Alternatively, if you need to speak to us, you can reach us on the following numbers:

UK telephone number – 020 388 51 500
US telephone number – 1-866-967-1977

Who owns NowPatient?

NowPatient is owned and operated by Infohealth Ltd, a licensed online pharmacy with services spanning the UK, US and Rest of the World. Infohealth Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 04004930 and our registered office is at Lynwood House, 373 – 375 Station Road, Harrow, England, HA1 2AW.

Our website is www.nowpatient.com. Our App is called “NowPatient” and can be downloaded from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices).

Can you tell me more about your NHS online pharmacy?

NowPatient’s Pharmaceutical services in the UK are provided by Infohealth Limited trading as ‘Infohealth Pharmacy’.

Our dispensing pharmacy is regulated and authorized for internet sales by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), registration number 1036487. You can view our license credentials on the General Pharmaceutical Council website. Our superintendent pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and effective oversight of medicines supplies is Mr Amish Patel (Registration Number 2042705).

Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce. All medicines or healthcare product sales are made under the supervision of a registered pharmacist who is licensed by the GPhC. At all times, we endeavour to provide a professional and transparent service whose primary goal is to ensure that the best interests of the patient are served.

How do I make a complaint?

From time to time, we accept that our service levels may not be up to your expectations. NowPatient welcomes concerns, compliments and complaints as valuable feedback that will help us learn from your experiences and make improvements. Feedback can be provided via our clear and transparent Complaints Procedures.

Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s prescribing services for treatments offered?

Our prescribing services are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). We provide the following regulated activity:

• treatment of disease, disorder, or injury
• transport services, triage, and medical advice are provided remotely
• caring for adults over 65 years old
• caring for adults under 65 years old

NowPatient prescribing services are run by Infohealth Limited. The Clinical Safety Officer and nominated individual is Mr Navin Khosla. Dr Ihtesham Sabri is the Medical Director for NowPatient and is responsible for NowPatient’s prescribing formulary and treatment guidelines, which are used by clinicians for safe and effective prescribing.

Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s US services?

Our head of US services is Dr. Jamie Winn.

You can lower the cost of your prescription medications using our various savings programs which include drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.

What are the steps to booking a live video consultation?

Follow the steps below to book a consultation:

How to Book a Consultation With NowPatient
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    Book Consultation
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    Choose Consultation Date
    Next, you’ll be taken to the ‘Consultation Date’ screen, where you can select your preferred consultation date. You can also add any notes that might assist the clinician during your session. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed.
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    Choose Consultation Time
    You will now see the ‘Consultation Time’ screen. Select your preferred time for the consultation and then click ‘Continue’.
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    Choose Clinician
    On the ‘Choose Clinician’ screen, you’ll be able to view available clinicians and select the one you prefer. You can filter the list by gender and spoken languages. Once you’ve made your selection, click ‘Continue’.
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    Booking Confirmation
    You will now arrive at the ‘Booking Confirmation’ screen, where you can review a summary of your booking. This screen also includes an advisory titled ‘Pre-consultation Requirements’, which offers helpful tips on how to prepare for your live video consultation. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed.
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    Safety Information & Reminders
    You’ll be asked to provide safety information, including: - The address where you will be during the consultation - Emergency contact details You can also opt to receive an SMS reminder 30 minutes before your scheduled video consultation.
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    Final Confirmation
    Click ‘Confirm Booking’ to complete the process. A pop-up will appear to confirm your booking, and you will be redirected to your account homepage. You’ll also receive confirmation via In-App and Push notifications.
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If I place an order, how do I check out?

Follow the steps below to checkout:

How to Checkout on NowPatient
  • Go to Cart using Account Navigation - order
    1
    Go to Cart using Account Navigation
  • If there is an NHS service item in the Cart - An NHS Exemption Declaration will Pop Up - order
    2
    If there is an NHS service item in the Cart - An NHS Exemption Declaration will Pop Up
  • Complete the NHS Exemption Declaration for each NHS service item - order
    3
    Complete the NHS Exemption Declaration for each NHS service item
  • Select ‘Checkout’ - order
    4
    Select ‘Checkout’
  • Select Delivery Address - order
    5
    Select Delivery Address
  • Select Delivery Method - order
    6
    Select Delivery Method
  • Confirm Billing Address - order
    7
    Confirm Billing Address
  • Review Order - order
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    Review Order
  • 9
    Submit Payment
  • Order Completed - order
    10
    Order Completed
  • Return to Account Homepage - order
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    Return to Account Homepage
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Is NowPatient legit and can I trust information from NowPatient?

Yes. NowPatient provides trustworthy and accessible clinical, health education and prescription services. We are also trusted by the NHS to deliver clinical and NHS repeat prescription dispensing across the whole of England. In the United States, we work with over 65,000 pharmacies to deliver considerable costs savings for our users.

NowPatient is operated by experienced licensed medical professionals in the United Kingdom and United States. Our Medical Team can be found here.

Our service is trusted by thousands of patients worldwide. You can read their reviews on our Trustpilot:

NowPatient Trustpilot

Does NowPatient have insurance in place for the services it provides?

Yes. NowPatient is fully insured to provide pharmacy & prescribing services. Insurance not only provides peace of mind but also provides an effective safety net for both you and our clinicians.

Why is it important to choose an online pharmacy and telehealth service that is insured?

Insurance is more than just a financial safeguard, it is a signal of legitimacy and accountability.

We insure our services, so that it:

  • Shows you that we are compliant with all laws and industry standards in the markets that we operate.
  • Shows you that we are committed to standards of professionalism.
  • Reinforces your confidence that you are dealing with a reputable provider.

Who insures your services and which services are insured?

We are insured by the National Pharmacy Association in the UK.

The scope of the services covered include:

  • dispensing of prescriptions
  • telehealth prescribing services.

In addition, all of the clinicians that operate on our platform have their personal indemnity insurance & scope of clinical practice validated and checked before they are able to provide services.

What are NowPatient’s opening hours?

Our office hours are:

UK – Monday-Friday 9am-6pm GMT
US – Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EST

Please note that we are closed at weekends.

In the event of a medical life-threatening emergency please call:

UK – 999
US – 911

In the event of a medical emergency which is not life-threatening please call:

UK – 111