New WIC Pediatric Referral Form Tutorial

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New WIC Pediatric Referral Form Tutorial
2009
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Tutorial Objectives

• At the end of this session, you will be able to
• explain
• The new WIC food packages for medically fragile
  infants and children ( 5 yrs.)
• The new federal medical documentation
  requirements for WIC participants
• WIC resources for improved nutrition outcomes

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New WIC Policy Changes

• Obtain medical documentation before issuing
• Therapeutic formula, a medical food, or any WIC
  foods to medically fragile WIC participants
• Additional formula to older infants with special
  needs
• Soy-based beverage or tofu to a child

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More WIC Foods for Medically Fragile Patients
October 1, 2009

• Now

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Same Information in Different Formats
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(No Transcript)
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Step 1 Determine if this is a routine referral
or special dietary request.
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Step 2 Write both the first and last name and
date of birth. Forms with only a first or a last
name are difficult to locate in the WIC files.
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Step 3 Only record hgb or hct for the current
age. Hgb or hct for all ages listed below are
not required. A lead test result for a child
over 1 year of age is requested during WIC
enrollment.
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Step 4 WIC encourages up-to-date immunizations.
WIC infants and children ( 2 yr. of age) are
screened and referred for immunizations using a
documented immunization history.
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Step 5 This information is used to improve
communication between WIC, pediatricians, and
other clinicians since breastfeeding women
receive more WIC foods. This ensures that the
appropriate breastfeeding food package is issued.
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Step 6 A box MUST BE CHECKED IN ORDER TO ISSUE
SOY OR TOFU TO A CHILD. When soy milk and tofu
are issued, cows milk and cheese will not be
given. (Personal preference is not a qualifying
condition.
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Sample of Section I Completed
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Step 7 Complete Section II when a therapeutic
formula or medical food is prescribed. A WIC
dietitian or nutritionist tailors the WIC food
package based on your patients special dietary
needs.
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Step 8 The diagnosis must match the formula or
food prescribed. If it does not, WIC will
contact the doctor for clarification. This may
delay access to WIC services and benefits.
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Step 9 Refer all patients to their health plan
for medically necessary formula or food. For
patients with private insurance, direct them to
Medi-Cal and refer these patients to WIC for
short term assistance.
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Step 10 Section II must be completed every 3
months for most medical conditions and every 6
months for well documented chronic conditions,
such as food allergies.
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Step 11 Medically fragile patients prescribed
therapeutic formulas are issued a customized WIC
food package. Foods NOT APPRORIATE MUST BE
CHECKED. A WIC dietitian will screen the
information provided and refer as needed.
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Step 12 A child prescribed a medical food,
such as PediaSure, will also receive cows milk
from WIC 910 oz PediaSure/mo 13 qts
milk/mo large amount of fluid Doctors must
check the cows milk box if they do NOT want the
patient to receive both or indicate amount.
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Step 13 WIC will track infants and children
prescribed therapeutic formulas or medical foods
to correctly tailor the WIC food packages and to
request updated food restrictions as needed.
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Step 14 Before providing WIC benefits, WIC
requires a health care professionals signature
and contact information. This confirms accuracy
of the information received and streamlines
communication with health plans when helping your
patients obtain therapeutic formulas.
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Sample of Section II Completed
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New WIC Form and Resources www.wicworks.ca.gov
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Resources for Collaborationwww.wicworks.ca.gov,
click Health Professionals

• AAP-WIC video New WIC Requirements
• WIC website with provider relevant information
• WIC formulas
• WIC fact sheet
• New pediatric form with instructions and
  tutorial
• Newsletters and fax blasts AAP, CHDP, health
  plans, Academy Family Physicians, nurses,
  dietitians
• MD-WIC Network

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MD - WIC Network

• Streamlined communication
• Early intervention
• Improved access to care
• Breastfeeding promotion
• Coordination for childhood obesity prevention

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How to Contact WIC

• Email MD-WIC_at_cdph.ca.gov
• WIC dietitian directory at MD-WIC Network
• (www.wicworks.ca.gov go to Professional
  Resources click Health Professionals)
• California WICs Program Evaluation and Policy
  Branch, 916-928-8652