Is nutrition counseling covered by my insurance?

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Does Insurance Cover Dietitian Services?

While eating healthy seems simple, keeping up with it every day can be challenging for most people. That’s where RDs come in. Working with a Registered Dietitian (RD) is transformative for people’s health and well-being.

RDs help people understand how the foods they eat impact their body and their health. They help people learn to eat in ways that help them be healthy while ensuring that improved eating patterns fit their patients’ busy lifestyles.

Due to Affordable Care Act mandates, nutrition counseling is covered by insurance plans for some people. Read on to discover the types of nutrition services that may be covered under insurance plans.

What Is a Registered Dietitian?

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are medical professionals and nutrition experts. They have completed a rigorous educational path, including a master’s degree, an internship, and passing a national certification exam.

Many RDNs have additional training and expertise in areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weight management, kidney disease, or eating disorders.

What Are Some Major Health Insurance Companies That Cover Dietitian Services?

Major health insurance companies provide coverage for dietitian visits and nutrition counseling. However, what is covered, for whom, and when varies by insurance provider. Some may cover preventative nutrition counseling, while others only cover medical nutrition therapy for diabetes or kidney disease.

Below are summaries of nutrition counseling services that different insurance companies cover. You should always check with your insurance company before hiring an RDN.

United Healthcare

United Healthcare covers nutrition counseling when provided by in-network RDNs. Many plans require a referral from the Primary Care Provider.

Medicare Coverage

Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy for diabetes and kidney disease or if you’ve had a kidney transplant within the last three years. There is no deductible for these services.

Medicare covers three hours of nutrition therapy in the first year and two hours for each following year.

You may be able to receive nutrition counseling for obesity through Medicare Part B as a preventative service, which means the standard deductible will also be paid.

All nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy must be provided by an RDN.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

BCBS provides coverage for nutrition counseling; however, the requirements for receiving services depend on the type of plan.

If the plan is a non-HMO plan, nutrition counseling can be received without a referral. If the plan is an HMO plan, a Managed Care Referral is required before the first appointment with the RDN.

Aetna

Members of Aetna plans can access nutrition counseling for children or adults with obesity and for adults who are overweight and have additional cardiovascular disease risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, high fasting blood sugar, or metabolic syndrome.

Nutrition counseling is also available for those with:

  • Diabetes
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney disease
  • Seizures
  • Eating disorders

Nutrition counseling that may improve other diseases like COPD may also be covered.

An RDN, licensed nutritionist, or other qualified licensed health professional must provide nutrition counseling.

Cigna

Cigna typically covers three nutrition counseling sessions annually when provided as preventive services. These sessions may be covered at 100% of the cost with no out-of-pocket costs for the patient.

A referral from your primary care provider may be required. Additional sessions may be covered, but it will depend on the plan and state in which the patient resides.

What Nutrition Services Are Covered by Insurance?

Just like the coverage for nutrition services varies by each provider’s insurance coverage, so do the types of services covered. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to cover nutrition counseling annually for those at high risk of developing chronic diseases.

Nutrition Counseling

Registered dietitians provide nutrition counseling, which helps patients learn about food and how the food they eat impacts their bodies and health.

A nutrition counseling relationship begins with the registered dietitian completing a thorough assessment. A typical assessment includes reviewing the patient’s health status and any chronic diseases, reviewing medication and supplements, and recalling diet history.

Other lifestyle factors, including exercise and movement, stress management, and sleep, will also be discussed.

The registered dietitian will work with the patient to understand their goals for working together. Then, they will set goals to work towards for the following nutrition counseling session.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Services

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) includes nutrition counseling but covers specific conditions like diabetes and kidney disease. All nutrition counseling components also apply to medical nutrition therapy services. The difference is in how the insurance provider defines and covers MNT.

Nutrition Therapy Services

Nutrition Therapy is another name for nutrition counseling. It includes all of the items included in nutrition counseling related to improving eating habits, eating a balanced diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep.

What Are the Out-of-Pocket Costs of Seeing a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

The out-of-pocket costs of nutrition services vary by insurance provider and the reason for seeing a registered dietitian. Some providers cover some services at 100% – meaning no out-of-pocket costs – while others are not covered, and the patient pays the entire cost out-of-pocket.

How to Find out if My Health Insurance Provider Covers Dietitian Services?

The only way to know if your health insurance covers nutrition counseling is to check with them. The patient can check the provider’s website or call to confirm coverage. We have another blog post that details how to check your insurance to see what nutrition counseling services are covered.

Conclusion

Insurance providers cover nutrition services for many of their members. The goal is to help the members be healthier, manage any current medical conditions, and prevent the development of disease.

Before seeing a registered dietitian, the insurance coverage should be verified by checking the website or calling the customer service telephone number.

Working with a registered dietitian can be life-changing for improving people’s health and well-being and preventing disease development.

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