Reimbursement for clinical nutrition services: a 10-year experience

Charges for nutrition products and services grew more than 800% between 1980 and 1990 at Children's Memorial Medical Center, Chicago, Ill. Three factors contributed to the growth in charges: distinguishing special services from those included in the bed charge, requiring rigorous documentation of services ordered and provided, and building administrative support for the program. Of the charges, 91% were related to nutrition support. The hospital converted 99% of the charges to private payers into actual revenue. The charge program provides the structure, discipline, and data to demonstrate the value of nutrition services for improving patient outcomes and may help sustain financial support even if the health care industry continues to move away from direct payment for services. Charging for nutrition products and services is a useful way for dietitians to document and be compensated for the value of their services in a hospital setting.