Author: Amber Wamhoff

Working with your insurance company

nwblueberrybush_webDoes your insurance company pay for a visit with a registered dietitian nutritionist?

It may make sense to you that insurance companies should cover Medical Nutrition Therapy for prevention and chronic disease management. Insurance plans are based on the coverage the employer has specified. Employer’s are more often recognizing the long-term cost-savings of prevention.

You can find out how many visits with an RDN are covered by calling the member benefit phone number on your insurance card. Ask the customer care representative the following questions:

1. Is Medical Nutrition Therapy a covered benefit on my plan?
2. Is it covered for my condition? – examples diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, etc
3. How many visits do I get?
4. Is there a co-pay, or are co-insurance and/or deductible applied?
5. Is (name of dietitian) an in-network provider?
6. If I use an out of network provider, what is the coverage?

Don’t get discouraged by the red tape. Most dietitians will be happy to find out this information for you. In many cases they can assist you with maneuvering through this complicated process. If you don’t have coverage, there may be other options. You may be able to use your health savings account to cover services.

If your company’s plan doesn’t provide coverage, talk to your employer’s benefits coordinator.

Talk to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Your health is important!

Why should you choose a Registered Dietitian?

You have many choices for nutrition information, choice being the key word.

Why should you choose a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist? What do the letters RDN really mean?

• Qualified – RDNs have extensive training in nutrition science. RDNs must complete a bachelor’s degree, several months of supervised practical experience with patients and pass a national exam. To maintain their credentials, RDNs must complete on-going continuing professional education.

• Expert – RDNs have a comprehensive nutrition science degree qualifying them as the Nutrition Expert. Approximately 50% of RDNs have advanced degrees. Many dietitian nutritionists have expertise and certification in specialty areas such as diabetes education (CDCES), renal nutrition (CSR) or gerontological nutrition (CSG).

• Translators – RDNs have the skills to translate their expertise into practical solutions to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes to improve their health.

• Advocates – RDNs provide vital food and nutrition services, while promoting health and well being to the public. RDNs focus on improving health through good nutrition.

For expert nutrition advice, choose a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist!

What is Evidenced Based care?

When it comes to your health, do you prefer someone’s personal opinion or advice based on research that was reviewed for accuracy and quality by experts? If you prefer the latter, you may choose to consult with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

RDNs provide care by applying the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic’s Evidenced-based practice guidelines. The guidelines are developed from research that has been reviewed and determined as strong and solid.

Several guidelines have been developed based on a particular disease or condition. RDNs apply these guidelines along with professional judgment to achieve optimum care and positive nutrition and health outcomes.

RDNs provide Medical Nutrition Therapy services for prevention, wellness and disease management. Nutrition services provided by RDNs can improve a consumer’s health and increase productivity and satisfaction levels through decreased doctor visits, hospitalizations and reduced prescription drug coverage.

Based on Medical Nutrition Therapy MNT Works