Welcome to the Love City team!
Can I utilize my health insurance to cover my visits?
I encourage you to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card to verify your specific coverage for nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian and ask them the questions below:
1. Does my insurance plan cover 97802 + 97803, CPT Codes for the initial nutrition visit and follow up visit(s)?
2. Are there any restrictions on medical conditions covered? (ie) some plans only cover nutrition counseling for specific conditions such as overweight (E66.3), obesity (E66.9), pre-diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, elevated cholesterol, etc. If you have any of these conditions, ask if these specific codes/disease states are covered. Some plans allow for preventative nutrition counseling coverage with the code Z71.3, ask about that one too!
3. How many nutrition visits with a dietitian are covered per year?
4. Is your insurance plan per calendar year or plan year (what month does your insurance plan “restart”)?
5. Are you financially responsible for any copays? Is there a deductible that needs to be met?
Where will we meet?
A HIPAA compliant video platform called Practice Better. After your initial inquiry I will send you a link to join Practice better within 24-48 hours so that you can create an account and fill out the required forms (15-20 minutes). After you complete these forms and insurance coverage is verified, I will email you a link for you to schedule your first session.
WHy see a Registered Dietitian vs Nutritionist?
Registered Dietitians are food and nutrition experts who have met the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) criteria to earn the RD credential. Dietitians are nutritionists, but nutritionists aren’t dietitians per se. Dietitians are able to counsel regarding nutrition intervention for specific disease states, medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Dietitians have specific training in undergraduate work to prepare them for the required dietetic internship which is a competitive match process following a 4 year bachelor of science undergraduate degree. The dietetic internship consists of 1200+ of supervised practice prior to sitting for the RD exam. Starting in 2024, dietitians are required to have a masters degree as well. About 6-7 years of education are spent becoming experts in the field in effort to help patients implement science based information to improve various disease states while also upholding ethical standards.
What is the structure of our sessions and the client experience?
At the very first session we will discuss your nutrition related goals and it is a chance to ask me about any questions you have about me and my background in regards to nutrition. Let me know about your goals, favorite meal(s), physical activity, medical history, supplements, stressors, sleep and lifestyle. From here, we will start working together through the latest practices in nutrition science and health coaching to create a specific plan for you. At the end of this session, we establish achievable and realistic goals and an action plan for you to work on between sessions. I will send you an overview of your specific goals and between sessions feel free to reach out and ask me any questions you have!
Let’s Get Started!
I am here for you and ready to help implement evidence based approaches which go beyond a simple meal plan.