New year, new habits
With the start of the new year, now is the perfect time to talk about nutrition and physical activity with your patients!
Discussing healthy lifestyle changes with patients when they come in for their annual exam is a great way to encourage better overall health. Plus, reminders like these have a huge impact on setting healthy behaviors all year long.
Are you unsure of what to go over during visits? Here’s a checklist:
Nutrition
- Ask about current nutrition behaviors (e.g., eating habits and dieting behavior)
- Counsel or refer the patient for nutrition education, if necessary
- Discuss the importance of healthy weight and preventing obesity
- Provide anticipatory nutrition guidance
Document “counseling of nutrition” in any setting, including telehealth visit, e-visit, or during a face-to-face visit (CPT: 98702, 98703).
Physical activity
- Ask the patient about their current physical activity behaviors (e.g., exercise routine and participation in sport activities)
- Counsel or refer the patient for physical activity, if necessary
- Provide anticipatory guidance specific to your patient’s physical activity
Document “counseling of physical activities” in any setting, including telehealth visit, e-visit, or during a face-to-face visit (ICD10: Z71.82).
Health education
SCFHP offers health education classes on many topics, including nutrition and physical activity. Many of our programs are offered in languages other than English and some programs are being offered virtually. Members can call organizations directly to register—just say they are an SCFHP member. No authorization from SCFHP is required.
View a list of available health education programs and log into Provider Link (providerportal.scfhp.com) to request health education for your patients.