2.0 DESCRIPTION
Interpretation or explanation
of results of psychiatric, other medical examinations and procedures,
or other accumulated data to family or other responsible persons,
or advising them how to assist patient.
3.0 POLICY
3.1 Collateral
visits that are medically or psychologically necessary for the treatment
of the patient are covered. It is not a therapy session, a treatment
planning session, or a discussion with the milieu staff. It is conducted
for the purpose of information gathering and implementing treatment
goals. A responsible person is generally a parent, the husband,
wife, or siblings. Other individuals, such as teachers, may also
qualify for collateral visits for both the adult and the child or
adolescent patient provided it can be demonstrated that the individual
is, in fact, a significant person in the life of the identified
patient.
3.2 A collateral visit does not
involve treatment of the collateral person(s). It is for purposes
of information exchange regarding the patient or implementing treatment
goals for the patient. Collateral visits are considered as services
rendered on behalf of the patient, are billed in the name of the
patient, and are counted as individual psychotherapy sessions for
purposes of utilization review. Duration up to 60 minutes is allowed.
4.0 EXCLUSIONS
4.1 Group
visits. A group collateral visit is when the therapist meets with
a group of parents of the children he or she sees in group therapy.
The focus of the sessions is on improving parenting techniques and
fostering better implementation goals.
4.2 A collateral
visit rendered on the same day that the patient receives individual
or group psychotherapy is coverable. Collateral visits do not count
toward crisis intervention sessions.