Telehealth for DM Treatment

[neecen]

Good morning,

Can anyone tell me if there is a requirement for a dietitian to see a mental health patient face-to-face prior to treating the patient?

TIA

Denise

 

[TThivierge]

Hi Neecen
I believe the first visit should be face to face for new pt then once established patient, then can do telehealth visit (phone or Zoom video) for dieticians.
Lady T

 

[neecen]

Hi Neecen
I believe the first visit should be face to face for new pt then once established patient, then can do telehealth visit (phone or Zoom video) for dieticians.
Lady T

Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate your time.

 

[thomas7331]

Good morning,

Can anyone tell me if there is a requirement for a dietitian to see a mental health patient face-to-face prior to treating the patient?

TIA

Denise

I’m not aware of any coding guidelines that would require an initial face to face visit with a dietician. These visits are not E/M services so they don’t fall under the same rules as would most physician visits.

Dietitians perform services that are usually ‘incident to’ a physician’s plan of care so as long as they are fulfilling the orders, it shouldn’t matter if it’s done in person or by telehealth. However, it’s probably a good idea to check your various payers’ requirements to make sure they provide coverage for the service when performed via telehealth.