Filenews 20 April 2022
Starting from December 1 2020 - with their inclusion in the GHS - clinical dietitians offer their services to beneficiaries who face health problems and it is imperative to regulate their diet.
According to an announcement by the GHS, through clinical dietitians, the System has sought to cover cases of people who have been diagnosed with eating disorders, diabetes, problems with the circulatory system, endocrine or other metabolic problems, thyroid gland disorders, etc.
"Patients during the year can visit up to 4 times a year the clinical dietitian in cases where their health status is included in those for which the GHS covers services by clinical dietitians. However, for cases where the Clinical Dietitian and the doctor consider that this particular case requires more treatments, then there is the possibility of submitting a request for an increase in treatments, which will be evaluated by the Organization. The treatments that a beneficiary is entitled to receive under the GHS are calculated from the beginning of each calendar year," he added.
Referrals
In order to obtain a referral, the beneficiary should contact a Staff or a Specialist Doctor with the possibility of referral to a clinical dietitian, who, after evaluating the situation, will proceed to the issuance of a referral.
In cases where the beneficiary arranges a direct appointment with a Clinical Dietitian, without holding a valid referral, then it is considered that the said services he/she will receive are outside the GHS framework and will be required to compensate them himself. The same shall apply in cases where the beneficiary has exhausted the maximum number of visits to which he/she is entitled, as defined by the Agency.
For the services of Clinical Dietitians there are two types of referrals, the short and medium term. A short-term referral is issued for 3 treatments and has a time limit of 6 months to perform. A medium-term referral is issued for 6 treatments and has a time limit of 6 months to perform. In cases where a referral includes two diagnoses, it is clarified that the Clinical Dietitian can evaluate only one diagnosis.
Provision of Services: The exceptions
The provision of care services at home is not included in the package of services agreed with the Clinical Dietitians. However, if the condition of a beneficiary is such that he/she needs home care, it is at the discretion of the provider to choose whether to provide this service.
In addition, a Clinical Dietitian contracted with the GHS can provide services to a patient who is hospitalized in a hospital not contracted with the HIO, but these services will not be reimbursed by the GHS and the beneficiary will have to cover them himself. In case of provision of services during the hospitalization of a beneficiary in a hospital contracted with the GHS, these services are reimbursed according to the DRG system.
