Are Dietitians and Nutritionists Covered by Insurance?

Updated by: Lacey Muinos

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The decision to seek professional support for nutrition, body image, or overall wellness is an exciting step forward in your health journey. 

You want to hire the right person. Someone with qualifications and experience who can provide you with the best possible care, and who fits your schedule and financial situation. 

One of the best things you can do is to seek out services that are covered by your insurance provider.

This will completely alleviate the pressure of having to pay out-of-pocket and will allow you to focus your attention on improving your health and happiness.

But in order to select the best service for you, you’ll need to know which services are covered by insurance and what differences exist between nutritionists and registered dietitians. 

Keep reading to learn more about insurance coverage when working with a dietitian and why services provided by dietitians are more likely to be covered.

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Nutritionist vs. Dietitian: What’s The Difference?

Chances are you’ve heard of a nutritionist and dietitian and assumed they were the same thing. 

They may be used interchangeably, but there is a difference between them and it’s important to understand what those differences mean for you and your wellness journey. 

The primary difference is that a registered dietitian is board-certified and legally permitted to treat medical conditions and offer nutritional counseling.

This isn’t necessarily the case for nutritionists.

Depending on the state in which they operate, nutritionists may not be held accountable by a regulatory body and can declare themselves a nutritionist without any formal training or certification. 

This isn’t the case for registered dietitians (RDs) who must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and meet the accreditation standards of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

The accreditation process for registered dietitians is a lengthy one, requiring each applicant to complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practicum, pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's dietetic registration exam, and to successfully obtain a state license.

What are the benefits of a dietitian nutritionist?

A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is a healthcare professional and credentialed nutrition expert.

Dietitians apply their evidence-based training and education in food and nutrition when working with people on an individualized plan.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to nutrition because everyone is different.

A dietitian works with you to come up with an eating plan tailored to your needs, goals, and dietary preferences—all in a judgment-free zone. 

To create an actionable but approachable plan, your dietitian will need some information from you.

During nutrition counseling, your dietitian may ask about any health conditions you might have or challenges you’re facing.

You can also share whether you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Having an expert create a personalized plan for you can save you time and frustration.

It also creates an opportunity to learn more about your specific nutrition needs from a qualified professional.

One of the convenient benefits of seeing a dietitian is the support they provide, kind of like an accountability partner.

You might have attempted to create your own eating plan or diet in the past.

Working with a dietitian gives you access to their professional knowledge but also a support system during your health journey.

When you see a dietitian, you’ll receive ongoing support and recipe ideas.

During your regular sessions, you can provide progress updates, ask questions, and celebrate your successes.

Are Dietitians Covered by Insurance?

The short answer is yes, the majority of insurance plans do cover services from registered dietitians (RDs), including major names like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, United Healthcare, and Aetna. 

You’ll still need to confirm with your insurance provider, as individual coverage plans can vary. 

Ensure you review the information package provided to you when you signed up for your insurance plan, or you can contact your provider directly to inquire about dietitian insurance coverage.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires nutritional counseling, it can help get insurance approval if they know your International Classification of Diseases code (also known as your ICD code). 

Your physician can provide you with your code.

Have it on hand when you inquire about coverage, as it will help your insurance company determine what types of coverage you qualify for.

BCBS

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans typically cover nutrition therapy if you have been diagnosed with certain health conditions, such as diabetes.

Some plans include a nutrition therapy benefit while others require a referral from your healthcare provider stating that it’s medically necessary.

UnitedHealthcare

In many cases, UnitedHealthcare covers nutrition counseling when ordered by a provider.

However, the coverage is limited to registered dietitians only—not non-credentialed providers like nutritionists.

Aetna

If you have a nutrition-related diagnosis, Aetna may cover your nutrition counseling sessions.

You may be required to obtain a referral from your healthcare provider.

Aetna may also have time limits on nutrition therapy sessions, capping your time to 50 minutes per session.

Cigna

Nutrition therapy may be covered on Cigna insurance plans, though it can vary.

In many cases, a referral and diagnosis from your physician may be required to obtain coverage.

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Are Nutritionists Covered By Insurance?

So, are nutritionists covered by insurance? The short answer is: very rarely.

Some insurance providers will cover services offered by nutritionists, but most won’t. 

Does Medicaid and Medicare Cover Nutrition Counseling? 

Medicaid and Medicare are two types of public insurance programs offered to Americans. 

Medicaid is a federal and state program reserved for people with low income, while Medicare is a federal program for people above the age of 65.

Medicare

If you are covered under Medicare, you will only receive compensation if you hire a licensed or certified registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist in the state in which you live. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your coverage, reach out to your insurance provider, as they are most likely to have accurate information regarding nutritionist insurance coverage. 

Medicaid

Many states do not recognize registered dietitians as Medicaid providers and nutrition counseling may not be covered. 

As of 2018, Medicaid nutrition coverage was only available in California, Minnesota, Texas, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont.

The coverage within these states varies greatly too and only some health conditions are eligible for Medicaid. 

The best way to understand which health conditions are covered in your state is to speak with a local dietitian. 

How Coverage Works for Private Healthcare Insurance

Dietitians can open a business to offer independent nutrition counseling.

They may accept private healthcare insurance, but it varies per dietitian. 

Some insurance providers offer direct billing which can be applied at the end of your nutrition appointment. 

Others require you to pay for your session out of pocket, and then file a health claim to be reimbursed.

Although this method can take a bit longer, it is a very common practice. 

If you have private healthcare insurance you should ask your provider if you are covered for nutrition counseling, how much you can spend annually, and what the billing and claims process is like. 

How to Find Out Whether Your Insurance Covers Dietitians 

If you’re trying to find a dietitian or nutritionist covered by insurance, you need to know what steps to take to determine if your provider will cover the services you need.

If you’d like to take further steps to ensure your insurance covers nutrition services, you can also do the following:

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1. Call Your Insurance Provider

This should always be your first step.

A customer service representative will be able to provide you with all the details you need regarding your level of coverage and the process by which you need to file a claim.

Call the 1-800 number on the back of your personal health insurance card and ask them what nutritional services are covered under your plan.

2. Ask If There Are Any Limitations On Your Coverage

If your insurance provider confirms you have coverage, be sure to confirm the details of your plan.

You may only be eligible to receive compensation for a specific number of visits with a nutritionist, or you may have a maximum amount your provider is willing to cover. 

3. Confirm Your Plan Covers Telehealth Sessions

Not all insurance providers cover telehealth sessions.

If being able to meet with a nutritionist or dietitian virtually is important to you, this is another detail you’ll want to confirm before investing in these services.

Again, this is information a customer service representative at your insurance company will be able to provide to you.

4. Try Nourish

Nourish offers personalized nutrition services and accepts major insurance carriers like Aetna, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare.

94% of Nourish patients pay $0 out of pocket, and you can use the online coverage calculator to predict how much your visit will cost.

5. Ask About Your Reset or Rollover Date

Many plans renew at a certain point in the year, and some even carry over any unused dollar amounts to the following year.

Ask your provider what their policy is so you can maximize your coverage and get the most out of your nutritional counseling experience.

6. Determine If You Need a Referral

Some insurance providers will require you to submit a physician’s referral to receive compensation for nutritional counseling services.

Ask your provider if this is the case in your situation so you can prepare ahead of time and ensure access to a dietitian covered by insurance.

Most physicians are willing to provide you with a referral for these services, even if you do not have an urgent underlying medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. 

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How to Find a Dietitian or Nutritionist Covered By Insurance

If you're looking to see a dietitian with your insurance, you can use Nourish—all without having to leave your home.

Finding a dietitian with Nourish is simple.

Fill out a brief form with your goals and any health conditions, and we’ll recommend registered dietitians that specialize in those areas.

You can also choose your preferred dietitian by filtering through hundreds of available providers based on criteria like language, state, concerns, and more.

When you’re ready to get started, signing up is simple.

Follow the on-screen instructions to tell us more about yourself, provide your health insurance provider, and set up your initial appointment with your chosen dietitian.

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