Wiki Counseling for pediatric obesity

[dmatthew457]

If a physician counsels an obese pediatric patient about lifestyle changes, how often is an insurer willing to pay for this service? Every 3 months, every 6 months, once a year? Does this depend on the type of insurer, such as PPO, HMO, Medicaid?

 

[Pam Warren]

That's definitely payer-specific. The obesity diagnosis code is a scary one, since some payers consider it 'preventable' and won't cover. Others will cover only if in a bariatric surgery program. You will definitely have to check your payer policies.