Intermountain Healthcare provides virtual care options for nutrition counseling and behavioral health, allowing patients across Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming to access specialized clinicians from their homes. The telehealth programs offer services ranging from dietary management for chronic conditions to mental health therapy and medication management.
Nutrition program focus and methods
The nutrition counseling program through Intermountain Healthcare's Clinical Nutrition Services focuses on personalized dietary support to address unique health goals. Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists (RD/N) use the platform to provide science-based education, known as Medical Nutrition Therapy, to help patients manage various medical needs.
Conditions treated and session recommendations
Commonly addressed concerns within the nutrition program include diabetes management, kidney disease, pediatric nutrition, weight management, and sports nutrition. The service also provides support for eating disorders, chronic condition management, and general dietary advice. Intermountain Healthcare notes that these sessions are often most effective when patients participate in a minimum of three visits, with 60-minute consultations being recommended.
Service locations and appointment availability
The nutrition counseling service operates through a network of 24 locations, consisting of one virtual-only site and 23 hybrid sites. To accommodate diverse schedules, telehealth appointments are available during evenings and weekends, with hours spanning from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Benefits of telehealth for patients
According to Intermountain Healthcare, the telehealth format offers several advantages, such as reduced time from initial referral to an actual appointment and minimized exposure to illness for patients who are medically fragile. The service is also designed to assist patients living in remote areas or those facing transportation challenges. Patients can use the Intermountain Health patient portal or mobile app to manage appointments and medical records.
Behavioral health services and eligibility
For mental health needs, the Connect Care Behavioral Health program provides virtual access to therapy and medication management for patients ages 12 and older. The service is available to residents in Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada.
Conditions treated by behavioral clinicians
Clinicians within the Connect Care program treat a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD/ADD, bipolar disorder, and panic attacks. The program also offers support for grief, insomnia, stress, trauma, relationship problems, and post-partum or perinatal depression and anxiety. Services include both goal-oriented individual therapy and group therapy sessions.
The behavioral health program is staffed by a team of licensed clinicians, such as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Susan Scott, PMHNP, who specialize in mental health. These providers have access to a patient's Intermountain Health medical history to ensure continuity of care.
Intermountain Healthcare has established protocols for technical issues during virtual visits. If a patient is disconnected from a session, they can click the original link provided to reconnect without being charged for an additional visit. For less urgent questions, patients may contact the clinic via email at CCBehavior0BehavioralHealth@imail.org.
Insurance coverage and costs vary for both programs based on visit type and specific provider details. For nutrition counseling, the service is FSA/HSA eligible, and patients are encouraged to verify coverage using Medical Nutrition Therapy codes 97802 and 97803. Intermountain Healthcare notes that Medicare, Medicaid, Select Health, and other commercial insurers generally cover these services.
For Connect Care Behavioral Health, the service is also FSA/HSA eligible, with cash pay options available. Accepted insurance providers include SelectHealth, AETNA, DMBA (Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators), HealthShare, HealthUtah, Medicare, Molina Utah, MotiveHealth, Network Care, PEHP, Regence BlueCross Blue Shield, Samera Health, and Wise. Patients can contact the billing department at 801-906-2800 to verify specific coverage details.
Both nutrition and behavioral health programs emphasize convenience and accessibility through the Intermountain Health patient portal. Patients can manage appointments, view test results, and access virtual care options directly through the app or web portal.
