Does Insurance Cover Dietitians?
Maintaining a healthy diet is an important part of overall well-being, and sometimes, we need a little extra guidance to make the right choices. That's where Dietitians (like me!) come in. Did you know that dietitian services (even for out-of-network providers) may be covered by your health insurance?
The extent of your coverage can vary depending on several factors, including your specific insurance plan, your specific health needs, and the regulations in your state. For example, some plans only cover in-network dietitians, while others cover out-of-network dietitians but will reimburse you with a superbill. Some will cover dietitians but only with a physician referral, while others don’t require a referral. It can be confusing to know your coverage! That’s why I have a handy-dandy list of questions below to ask your insurance provider if you want to work with me, and want to see if your insurance will cover services.
Make sure to write the answers you get down, and get a reference number for your phone call! And when you’re ready, schedule your first appointment with me!
Questions to ask your insurance provider to assess out-of-network Dietitian service coverage:
1. Are dietitian services covered for out-of-network providers for my plan?
2. For out-of-network dietitians, will a superbill be accepted for reimbursement?
2. Does my plan cover outpatient nutrition therapy CPT codes 97802 (medical nutrition therapy assessment), 97803 (medical nutrition therapy follow-up), or S9470 (nutritional counseling)?
3. Do I have any nutrition counseling visits covered under the preventative care portion of my plan (ICD-10 code z71.3)? If so, how many?
4. Do I currently have coverage for services provided via telehealth or in-home?
5. Do I need a physician referral? If yes, is there a specific form you provide or that needs to be submitted along with a superbill for reimbursement?
6. Do I have a deductible for nutrition counseling services? If so, how much is it and how much has been met so far?
7. Is there a copayment for each visit?
8. Is there co-insurance for each visit? If yes, what is the percentage of coverage?
9. What month does my policy year renew?
10. Are there any restrictions and/or limitations to my coverage?
Wow, I know that was a lot of questions- BUT, we want to make sure you have your bases covered when it comes to checking your benefits, since you are responsible for out-of-pocket costs even if a superbill is not accepted. Need more help checking if your insurance covers my Dietitian services? Please reach out- I’m happy to help!
-Meghan
