Does Insurance Pay for Dietitian Nutritionist Visits?

July 06, 2023

Short answer: Yes, and often at little to no cost to you.

In many cases, commercial insurance, like the type you get through your employer, will pay for several visits to a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).  Your insurance plan might cover a few or many visits per year for reasons like preventive nutrition, diabetes or obesity.  You could have no cost for these visits depending on your plan.

Well My Way is currently in-network with Cigna, Anthem BCBS, Aetna, UHC, UMR and Medicare.

Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call to learn more about dietitian visits and coverage.

What nutrition services does insurance cover?

Visits include nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and must be provided by a registered dietitian licensed with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  Insurance covers counseling, education and planning that occurs during your appointment with a registered dietitian.  

What nutrition services are not covered by insurance?

Plan vary but typically these services are not covered by insurance:

• Custom meal plans or planning outside of appointments
• Labs like food sensitivity testing, hormone panels for weight management or functional health testing like DUTCH panels.
• Weekly check-ins and food journal reviews
• Recommended nutrition supplements or food
• Grocery tours and in-home visits
  

If insurance doesn't fully cover it

Well My Way has created coaching packages that combine what insurance does and does not cover at a discounted price.  They fill the gaps of insurance coverage to provide more help, accountability and value to clients.  Learn more here.

What about dietitian visits for those with Medicare?

Medicare covers dietitian visits for people who have diabetes or chronic kidney disease at certain stages.  Medicare will cover 3 hours of visits in the first year and generally 2 hours in subsequent years.  This does require a referral from your doctor. In my experience, doctors are happy to give you this referral to help you make better eating choices. 

Should I have a dietitian if I have diabetes?

Yes.  It is a standard of care for diabetes to see a registered dietitian when you are first diagnosed and/or when something changes in your plan of care like adding insulin to your medications.  That means all people with diabetes should see a dietitian to help manage the condition, but many are never referred or seek help themselves.  One study of 332 people with diabetes showed only 34% were referred to a dietitian by their doctor.

Working with a registered dietitian can be both effective and affordable. Book a free discovery call to get started.

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