How to Determine If Your Insurance Covers Visits with a Dietitian

At Rethink Nutrition, we believe you should be able to utilize your insurance benefits to their fullest advantage. That’s why we want you to understand the different ways in which you might be able to use your insurance to cover visits with our team. 

It’s important to know that there are typically two types of coverage for nutrition services. 

The first is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), which is a personalized approach that focuses on nutrition and lifestyle adjustments to treat diagnosed medical issues such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, or celiac disease. 

Many plans may also have preventative coverage, which is intended to prevent future illness. This is similar to insurance covering an annual well child visit, mammograms, and other services that are considered preventative. The great thing about preventative services is that they are usually covered at 100% without having to meet your deductible or paying a co-pay. 

In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of determining if your insurance includes MNT or preventative coverage.

1. Review Your Insurance Policy

The first step in understanding your coverage is to review your insurance policy documents. This document outlines the benefits and services your insurance plan offers. Look for any references to "nutritional counseling," "medical nutrition therapy," “preventative services”, or similar terms. These sections will provide insights into whether MNT or preventative nutrition services are covered, the extent of coverage, and any limitations.

2. Contact Your Insurance Provider

If the policy documents leave you with unanswered questions, don't hesitate to contact your insurance provider. Customer service representatives can provide you with accurate and up-to-date information regarding your plan's coverage for nutrition services. Prepare a list of questions before calling, such as:

• Is Medical Nutrition Therapy covered under my plan?
• Are there any specific medical conditions for which MNT is covered?
• Are there limitations on the number of sessions covered per year?
• Do I need a referral from a healthcare provider to access MNT services?
• Does my plan include preventative nutrition services? 

For a full list of questions specific to working with our Rethink Nutrition team, visit our Insurance Verification Page. 

3. Understand Medical Necessity

Insurance coverage for MNT often depends on medical necessity. Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or irritable bowel syndrome may make you eligible for coverage. While most insurance companies do not require a referral from your healthcare provider, it is helpful to have one sent to our team in order to establish the medical necessity of MNT. 

4. Document Everything

When dealing with insurance matters, documentation is your best friend. Keep a record of all communications with your insurance provider, including the date, time, representative's name, and a summary of the conversation. This documentation can be valuable in case of any disputes or discrepancies regarding your coverage.

We understand that navigating insurance coverage can be overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve found that at least 90% of our clients have coverage for nutrition services, with many clients paying $0 thanks to their preventative coverage. We currently accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Medicare, Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna, and Kansas Medicaid. 

Ready to elevate your nutrition and well-being? Whether you're in Manhattan, Kansas, or elsewhere in the State, Rethink Nutrition is ready for you! Choose insurance-based in-person or virtual sessions with our expert dietitians, trained in areas like functional nutrition, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, intuitive eating, and weight concerns. Schedule with our dietitian team to start your journey to better health today!