ABSTRACT
This article focuses on the current status of the use of Health and Behavior (H&B) codes by pediatric psychologists. We address the rationale for the use of these codes in a pediatric psychology setting, practice updates since the codes were initiated, and our experience with utilizing these codes in one pediatric hospital. We conclude with a summary of our assertions and future directions for policy and practice.
Subject(s)
Clinical Coding/economics , Insurance, Health, Reimbursement/economics , Psychology, Child/economics , Health Policy , Humans , Reimbursement Mechanisms/economicsABSTRACT
In 2006, approximately 37 percent of Delaware's children were overweight or obese. To combat Delaware's childhood obesity epidemic, Nemours, a leading child health care provider, launched a statewide program to improve child health. The "social-ecological" strategy reaches beyond clinical encounters to promote better health and behavior at multiple levels. Early results show that the initiative halted the increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese children, since no statistically significant change occurred during the two-year span between administrations of the Delaware Survey on Children's Health. The initiative also spurred increased knowledge of healthy eating and awareness of the need for increased physical activity in school, child care, and primary care settings.
