Clinical Engagement
Require that clinical teams engage patients flagged as eligible for FIM programs.
Process
Develop sample scripts based on FIM program(s) available to the clinic – MTM, MTG, PRx, and supportive internal programs (MNT, CM, food assistance programs, etc.).
Example: Sample Script for a FIM Referral ▶
Technology
Integrate sample script within the EHR and build a field within the EHR to indicate that clinical engagement about FIM program was made.
Personnel
Train clinical teams on how to hold a brief conversation with the patient to orient them to their care options and to know what to expect.
Referral
Make referrals to FIM programs and document referrals within the EHR.
Process
Vet potential external vendors for data security and HIPAA compliance standards.
Automate daily feeds of referral data from the EHR to the FIM vendor. These should include, at minimum, patient personally identifiable information, diagnoses, eligibility, and, if using, nutrition security results to assist the vendor in program tailoring.
Technology
Build billable codes within the EHR for easy selection when a patient screens eligible for a FIM program.
Establish secure, unidirectional or closed-loop referral pathways with FIM vendors.
Personnel
Train clinical teams to utilize ICD-10/CPT codes when making referrals to FIM services.
Train billing specialists on insurance coverage of FIM services by line of business and how to respond to patient inquiries about FIM program coverage.
A Note on Billing and Coding for FIM Services
Screening, eligibility (i.e. diagnosis), and referral are all codable events within the clinical workflow. This guide, designed for Community Health Centers in California but with national relevance, provides valuable guideposts for billing and coding for FIM services. Clinical teams can use ICD-10 and CPT codes, in conjunction with patient insurance information, to support inquiries about coverage or reimbursement of FIM services.
Food Assistance Program Resources
While this section focuses on FIM programs that can be delivered or supported through health care systems, many individuals also rely on long-standing community-based and public safety-net programs to meet their basic food needs. These resources play a critical role in addressing food access, particularly for households facing acute or ongoing food insecurity, and often complement health care-based interventions. Consider building one or more of the following resources into your referral manager’s workflow.
Explore: Kaiser Permanente Community Support Hub ▶
Explore: Find Help ▶
Explore: Food is Medicine Community Resource Guide ▶