Women, Infant and Children

Medical Documentation Form 1:
Use this form to request special formulas and/or medical foods for patients with qualifying medical conditions

Medical Documentation Form 2:
Use this form to authorize special food substitutions for children and women enrolled in the Georgia WIC Program

FAQ - Medical Documentation Forms

WIC Approved Formula Guide

WIC Approved Foods List

Income Eligibility Guidelines

WIC Clinic Locator

WIC - New Food Packages and Prescriptions
After 30 years, the Women, Infants and Children program, often known as WIC is changing! WIC food packages, and the process for writing WIC prescriptions for special formulas, are changing significantly beginning October 1, 2009. When thinking of your patients, consider that in Georgia approximately 51 percent of mothers and infants qualify for the WIC program. It is important to remember that patients can be eligible for WIC services even if they are working, are under the care of a private physician, or have private insurance.

How and why did this occur? 
The USDA contracted with the Institute of Medicine to evaluate the food package and offer recommendations. The changes that were adopted follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The goal of these changes is to encourage good family health and to actively promote and support breastfeeding. A few key nutritional education messages include encouragement to eat more fruits and vegetables, decreasing consumption of saturated fats, increasing consumption of whole grains and fiber, drinking less sweetened beverages and juices, and encouraging mothers to breastfeed.

What is new?
There are some exciting new options added to the new food package - fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain products including brown rice and whole wheat bread, buns and tortillas. Infants will no longer receive juice, but instead be given baby food fruits and vegetables. Women and children (age 2 and older) will only receive low-fat milk, while children age 12-23 months will receive only whole milk. Infants who are exclusively breastfed will receive baby food meats.

Bottom line - What do family physicians need to know?
Throw away the WIC prescription pads you may have, they are no longer acceptable. Georgia WIC has new medical documentation forms; these forms are designed to ensure that all the necessary information is provided at the time of referral. This will ultimately save you time by avoiding follow up phone calls from the WIC office seeking clarification.  

A copy of these forms are available at Form 1 and Form 2 There are two forms, labeled as form 1 and 2 in the upper right corner. Form 1 is used to prescribe special formulas. Form 2 is used to provide referral data, and to authorize special milk substitutions such as soy milk, tofu, or extra cheese. Only physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners may sign these forms, as they are considered a prescription. Note that the prescription now requires an ICD 9 or ICD 10 code to support the need for supplemental nutrition. General diagnoses, such as formula intolerance or picky eater, will no longer be accepted. The new Medical Documentation forms can also be found online at: http://health.state.ga.us/programs/wic/wicformula.asp or on the GAFP website at http://www.gafp.org/women_infant_children.asp.

 

For more information on the Georgia WIC Program and the October 1 changes:

  • Visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/wic/
  • Attend the WIC lecture during the GAFP Annual Meeting at Cobb Galleria in November
  • Arrange a Lunch and Learn where detailed information will be delivered to you and your office staff - contact Cathi Durham, GAFP Director of Outreach at cdurham@gafp.org or 800-392-3841.