(a) This section implements the Insurance Code, Title 8, Subtitle E, Chapter 1358, §1358.055.

(b) Diabetes self-management training covers the following training:

(1) training provided to a qualified enrollee after the initial diagnosis of diabetes in the care and management of that condition, including nutrition counseling and proper use of diabetes equipment and supplies;

(2) additional training authorized on the diagnosis of a physician or other health care practitioner of a significant change in the qualified enrollee's symptoms or condition that requires changes in the qualified enrollee's self-management regimen; and

(3) periodic or episodic continuing education training when prescribed by an appropriate health care practitioner as warranted by the development of new techniques and treatments for diabetes.

(c) A licensed dietitian who provides diabetes self-management training as a member of a multi-disciplinary team must meet the following requirements:

(1) Prior to beginning to provide diabetes self-management training as member of a multi-disciplinary team under Insurance Code, Title 8, Subtitle E, Chapter 1358, §1358.055(c)(2), a licensed dietitian must complete at least six (6) hours of continuing education in diabetes-specific or diabetes-related topics within the previous two years.

(2) Thereafter, to remain qualified to continue to provide such services, a licensed dietitian shall complete at least six (6) hours of continuing education biennially in diabetes-specific or diabetes-related topics.

(3) A licensed dietitian who is not a Certified Diabetes Educator and who is providing diabetes self-management training as a member of a multi-disciplinary team under Insurance Code, Title 8, Subtitle E, Chapter 1358, §1358.055(c)(2), shall confine the licensed dietitian's professional services to nutrition education and/or counseling, lifestyle modifications, the application of self-management skills, reinforcing diabetes self-management training, and other acts within the scope of the licensed dietitian's professional education and training which are conducted under the supervision of the coordinator of the multi-disciplinary team.

(d) A licensed dietitian who provides the nutrition component of diabetes self-management training must meet the following requirements:

(1) Prior to beginning to provide the nutrition component of diabetes self-management training under Insurance Code, Title 8, Subtitle E, Chapter 1358, §1358.055(c)(4), a licensed dietitian must complete at least six (6) hours of continuing education in diabetes-specific or diabetes-related topics within the previous two years.

(2) Thereafter, to remain qualified to continue to provide such services, a licensed dietitian shall show proof to the department completion of at least six (6) hours of continuing education biennially in diabetes-specific or diabetes-related topics.

(e) The continuing education completed under this section shall meet the requirements described in Subchapter I, Continuing Education. The continuing education completed under this section may be part of the credits required for renewal of a license.

(f) Upon written request by the department, the licensed dietitian shall submit to the department proof of completion of the continuing education completed under this section. The licensed dietitian shall submit the proof of completion in a manner and a timeframe acceptable to the department.

(g) This section does not apply to a licensed dietitian who is a diabetes educator certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.

(h) This section does not pertain to or restrict a licensed dietitian who does not qualify under this section from providing the nutrition component of diabetes self-management training within the scope of the license issued by the department, to a person:

(1) who is not a qualified enrollee as defined in the Insurance Code, Title 8, Subtitle E, Chapter 1358, §1358.051;

(2) who does not intend to seek payment for or reimbursement for diabetes self-management training; or

(3) without the written order of a licensed physician or other healthcare practitioner.

Source Note: The provisions of this §116.142 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4481; amended to be effective July 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 4173; amended to be effective August 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 5185