Whether you want to lose weight, lower your risk of heart disease, or learn how to create blood-sugar-friendly meals to manage type 2 diabetes, nutrition counseling is an important medical service. 

Nutrition professionals provide in-person or virtual one-on-one counseling and group education. They’re also trained to help you set realistic goals, access healthy eating resources, and provide accountability to help you improve eating habits and meet your health goals.

Seeing a nutritionist may seem like an extra expense, but most health insurance policies cover nutrition counseling. However, health insurance is a complex topic, and the services covered vary between insurance companies and the type of policy you have. 

At Sarah Lynn Nutrition, we specialize in nutrition therapy to help you improve and manage over 100 health conditions. Whether you’re looking for support with heart health, gastrointestinal health, PCOS,  picky eating, or weight management, Sarah Lynn Nutrition can help, often at no out-of-pocket cost. 

We accept hundreds of types of insurance, including plans from major insurance providers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Medicare. For 9 out of 10 of our clients, our telehealth services are fully covered by insurance. 

In this article, we will explain how insurance coverage typically works for nutritional counseling provided by a registered dietitian nutritionist. 

Nutritionists vs. Registered Dietitians

It’s important to distinguish between different types of nutrition providers, especially if you’re looking for a healthcare professional who will be covered by insurance. Insurance coverage will vary depending on whether you see a registered dietitian or a nutritionist. 

The main difference between registered dietitians and nutritionists is education and training. A registered dietitian, which may also be referred to as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, RD, or RDN, undergoes the highest level of education. Registered dietitians must complete a master’s degree, supervised practice, and pass a national exam to receive their credentials. RDs are trained in evidence-based practices to manage and treat health conditions.

Only registered dietitians are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy related to medical diagnoses. Dietitians are medical professionals and are the gold standard for providing high-quality, science-backed nutrition counseling. All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. 

Nutritionist is an unregulated title that doesn’t require formal training or education. The amount and depth of training nutrition coaches and specialists receive vary greatly, and no degree is required to become a nutritionist. Technically, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.

Does a Health Insurance Company Cover the Cost of Nutrition Services?

More insurance companies than ever offer coverage for personalized nutrition services. This is partly due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed in 2010. Health insurance companies are legally required to provide coverage for the health services that the Affordable Care Act mandates. 

Preventative care to promote wellness and prevent chronic disease is one of the main components of the ACA. Nutrition counseling for many conditions, including prediabetes and obesity, is considered a preventative service. For many people, nutrition therapy provided by a registered dietitian is now 100% covered by their health insurance provider.

What Services Do Health Insurance Providers Typically Cover?

As mentioned above, health insurance benefits typically include full or partial coverage for nutrition counseling services. Individuals diagnosed with certain medical conditions, including diabetes, eating disorders, high blood pressure, and obesity, usually qualify for nutritional services.

Medical nutrition therapy varies by provider and location, so let’s take a closer look at the nutrition coverage you can expect from an insurance company.

Medicare

Medicare treats dietitian visits as a medical necessity for certain health conditions. Medicare coverage includes medical nutrition therapy with a registered dietitian for individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. You typically need a referral from a primary healthcare provider before you can see a dietitian under Medicare. 

Medical nutrition therapy is not covered for any other health conditions under Medicare, so if you’re looking for nutrition support for weight loss or heart health, you may need to use secondary insurance or pay out-of-pocket.

Medicaid

Medicaid coverage for nutrition services varies by location. You’ll have to check with your state Medicaid office to determine if medical nutrition therapy is part of your insurance coverage. 

Typically, pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children with Medicaid can receive nutrition support through public health initiatives like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Most Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans cover nutrition counseling provided by a registered dietitian. You can usually use this coverage to see a dietitian in-person or virtually, as long as they are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. 

Some health plans may require a doctor’s referral or a medical diagnosis in order to cover nutrition counseling, so you’ll want to double-check your plan benefits.

Aetna

Aetna covers nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian or licensed nutritionist for individuals diagnosed with certain medical conditions, including eating disorders and gastrointestinal disorders. Coverage may include in-person and telehealth visits with a nutritionist.

They also cover nutrition services for those with certain risk factors, such as elevated blood pressure or blood sugar, that put them at risk for developing chronic disease. Aetna also covers weight loss counseling for overweight and obese individuals. 

United Healthcare

Like BCBS and Aetna, most health insurance plans with United Healthcare will cover nutrition counseling. However, there may be stipulations, such as needing a doctor’s referral or the type of nutrition professional you can see.

Is Medical Nutrition Therapy Covered by Insurance?

Yes, most health insurance companies and policies will cover medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Your health plan will determine how many visits with a dietitian you’re entitled to per year and whether a referral or medical diagnosis is required to be eligible for MNT.

Registered dietitians are the only nutrition professionals qualified to provide nutrition counseling to manage or treat medical conditions. For your insurance to cover this service, you’ll need to see a registered dietitian who is in-network with your health plan.

How to Find Out Whether Your Health Insurance Provider Covers Nutritionists?

Nutrition coverage will vary depending on your insurance provider. Some health insurance plans only cover nutrition services for specific diagnosed conditions, like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Other plans may offer broader coverage for you to see a nutritionist, including general health and chronic disease prevention. 

Here’s how to find out exactly what nutrition coverage your health insurance provider offers:

Call Your Provider

The best way to find out what services are covered by your insurance is to contact your health insurance provider. You can find the phone number to reach customer service on the back of your insurance card or online. Use this contact information to call your provider and ask if dietitian services, such as nutrition counseling sessions, are covered by your policy.

Ask About Any Limitations on Your Coverage

These questions can help you determine if there are any limitations on your coverage for dietitian services:

• How many visits can I have with a dietitian?
• Are virtual/telehealth nutrition sessions covered by my plan?
• Does my insurance plan have a copay to see an in-network dietitian?
• Do I need a medical diagnosis to see a dietitian?

Determine the Need for a Referral

Sometimes, a diagnosis and/or a doctor’s referral are needed for your health insurance coverage to kick in to see a dietitian. If your insurance provider confirms you need a referral to be eligible for coverage, contact your primary care physician. 

How to Find a Nutritionist That Accepts Your Insurance

If there’s a nutritionist you’d like to work with, you can ask them directly if they accept your insurance. If you’re unsure where to start, visit your health insurance provider’s website to search the provider directory for an in-network dietitian and/or licensed nutritionist. You can also ask your doctor if they have any recommendations for who to see for nutrition education.

Seeing an out-of-network provider for nutrition advice will not be eligible for insurance coverage and may increase your medical expenses.

Paying Out of Pocket Costs for Nutrition Counseling

Some insurance plans may have a copay or only cover a certain number of visits, resulting in out-of-pocket costs. Once you verify your health coverage, you should have a clear picture of what you can expect to pay to see a dietitian.

Conclusion

Most health insurance providers recognize registered dietitians as healthcare professionals and will cover nutrition nutrition counseling with a dietitian. Our team of registered dietitians at Sarah Lynn Nutrition is in-network with most major insurance providers. Fill out our insurance eligibility form to save money and start your health and wellness journey today.