22VAC40-185-60  8.   A written care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy, to include instructions from a physician regarding the food to which the child is allergic to and the steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction.

I understand the seriousness of food allergies and the complications that are associated with them.   I question the requirement for parents to have a doctor write the care plan.  If the child has been "diagnosed" with a particular food allergy, the doctor probably instructed the parent what to do if the child eats this item.  Perhaps this was given to the parent in writing, perhaps verbally.  Are there any cases, perhaps mild intolerances to a food item, where the parent could write the care plan?  Parents usually know exactly what to do, either from previous experience or consultations with a physician.  I do not work in the medical field but my understanding is doctors do not write "care plans".  Doctors diagnose and treat.  Nurses write something called "plan of care".  Have medical professionals been consulted on this proposal?  I would love to hear the opinion of parents of children with food allergies.  Particularly ones who have children with mild "diagnosed" food allerigies.  (No EPI pen)  I wonder if they are ok with having to provide a written care plan by a doctor and I assume this would be needed prior to enrollment?  Perhaps a solution would be to differerentiate between "life threatening food allergies" and "intolerances to food".  The serious food allergies would require the written care plan by physician (or physician's designee) and intolerances to food plan could be written by the parent.