06/23/2017

PCP Referrals to Podiatrists

Hi, My question is about PCP referrals to Podiatry. Many of the PCP's are writing on referrals: Patient referred for: Example: 1.Podiatry consult with the dx diabetes Example: 2. Checkup dx diabetes Now the question is can the PCP's write on referral to podiatry example 1 and 2 ? At the podiatry conference this year there was a discussion about PCP's referrals to podiatry. It was said that Pcp's must give a valid diagnosis and that diabetes is not a valid dx to referral to podiatry. Please advise if the example 1 and 2 can be written on the referral to podiatry by the pcp. Thank you

 

A PCP can refer a patient to a podiatrist if they are diabetic. However, the referring provider needs to list a secondary diagnosis on the referral for another condition of the patient’s foot or ankle. Such is the case, even if it is not directly related to diabetes. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Wound care
• Mycotic nails
• Gout
• Neuropathy
• Hammertoes
• Bunions

The second condition must be listed, since it is not within a podiatrists scope of practice to manage diabetes alone.