Key Points
- Health insurance is required to cover nutrition counseling services under the Affordable Care Act.
- Only registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are covered by insurance – not all nutritionists.
- Coverage varies by insurance type: private plans typically cover preventive care and chronic conditions, Medicare covers diabetes and kidney disease only, and Medicaid varies by state.
- Using Fay connects you with an in-network registered dietitian and handles insurance billing, saving you time and money.
Finding a qualified nutritionist can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out what your insurance covers. You want a provider who's qualified, personable, and compassionate. You need someone with real credentials – a registered dietitian. And on top of all that, you want to make sure you can afford these important services.
The good news is, your health insurance likely offers coverage for nutrition counseling. But there are a few things to look into before you book your first appointment.
Here's how to find out if your health insurance covers nutritionist services and what you can expect to pay.
What are the benefits of a nutritionist?
Registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are the most qualified nutrition counseling providers available. Through their licensure, which has extensive educational requirements, they can provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and diagnose and treat health conditions and diseases.
Both RD and RDN are protected titles. Nutritionist is not.
RDs and RDNs are the only board-certified professionals legally permitted to provide nutrition counseling services. Nutritionists without the RD and RDN can have a wide range of qualifications and, in some states, may have little to no formal training or education in nutrition.
Registered dietitians act as both wellness and healthcare providers. They use their clinical and medical expertise to guide you through nutrition education.
They are also ready to support you in the inherently personal nature of the work you do together. Nutrition counseling has an emotional side to it, and your dietitian is there to support you every step of the way.
RDs can treat things like eating disorders, prediabetes or diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, and much more. They also offer preventative services for anyone who's trying to take their health into their own hands and work on their overall wellbeing.
With all this in mind, you can see why dietitians are the most qualified and trustworthy type of nutritionist you can hire.
Are dietitians covered by insurance?
In the United States, the Affordable Care Act mandates that health insurance covers nutrition counseling. Health insurance companies like Aetna, United Healthcare, BlueCross BlueShield, and Anthem all cover dietitian services.
Coverage can vary by provider and by plan. Most insurance plans will cover 100% of all nutrition services.
We'll go through the ins and outs of health insurance coverage for nutrition services so you can know more about what to expect.
Medicare coverage
Medicare covers registered dietitian services for specific conditions only. If you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, you're likely eligible.
Medicare requires a doctor's referral to see an RD. Your doctor needs to document that you have one of these conditions and that nutrition therapy is medically necessary.
Coverage typically includes an initial assessment and follow-up visits. The number of covered sessions per year varies based on your condition and progress.
💡 Tip: Ask your doctor to include "medical nutrition therapy" on your referral – this helps ensure Medicare processes your claim correctly.
Medicaid coverage
Medicaid does cover nutrition counseling, but coverage varies significantly by state. Each state runs its own Medicaid program with different rules.
Some states cover preventive nutrition counseling for all beneficiaries. Others only cover it for specific diagnoses like diabetes or pregnancy.
It's wise to check with your state's Medicaid office to find out exactly what's covered. Coverage can also depend on whether you're seeing an RD in a clinic, hospital, or private practice.
Why are dietitians the only nutritionists covered by insurance
The only qualified nutritionist is one who holds an RD or RDN title. When insurance decides to pay for a certain type of care, they do extensive research into the efficacy of that care model.
The education and board certification standards that go into obtaining an RD credential ensure that these nutrition experts are providing real medical advice. This advice is science-backed and clinically proven.
The advice of a dietitian goes far beyond being "rooted in science," though. Insurance companies and regulatory bodies can ensure that when you're working with a dietitian, the nutrition advice being given is proven through evidence-based practices that have been validated through peer-reviewed research.
This is the highest quality of care possible.
Even "certified health coaches" and nutrition therapy practitioners (NTPs) don't have the same quality of education and expertise as registered dietitians. That's why insurance companies will only pay for services rendered by an RD.
Common insurance requirements for RD services
Most insurance plans have specific requirements you'll need to meet to get coverage. Understanding these ahead of time can save you from surprise bills.
Here's what you might need:
- Doctor referral or prescription - Many plans require your doctor to refer you to an RD, especially for Medicare and some private plans
- Pre-authorization - Some insurance companies want to approve your visits before you start
- Covered diagnoses - Insurance typically covers nutrition counseling for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, obesity, and eating disorders
- Session limits - Many plans cap the number of visits per year (often 3-10 sessions, though some offer more)
- In-network providers - Using an out-of-network RD might mean higher costs or no coverage at all
- Preventive vs. treatment coverage - Some plans cover preventive nutrition counseling without a diagnosis, while others only cover it for treating specific conditions
💡 Tip: If your plan requires pre-authorization, ask your RD's office if they can handle this for you – many practices take care of the paperwork so you don't have to.
Confused by these requirements? Fay has it handled for you. Fay can verify your coverage and handle the insurance details, even billing insurance on your behalf, so you don’t need to worry.
Is health insurance required to see a nutritionist?
The Affordable Care Act requires MNT to be covered, but insurance isn't required to receive nutrition counseling. Technically, anyone can work with an RD.
If you do have health insurance, though, your out-of-pocket costs are likely to be $0 or close to $0.
Without insurance, a single RD session typically costs between $100 and $200. If you see an RD monthly for six months, that's $600 to $1,200 out of pocket.
With insurance, you'll usually pay either nothing or a small copay of $10 to $50 per visit. Over six months, that's a savings of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
That's what makes a tool like Fay so valuable. Fay pairs you with an in-network registered dietitian and bills your insurance on your behalf. Using a tool like Fay can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run while still getting the care you need.
Wondering how to check your coverage without spending hours on hold? Here's what you need to know.
How to find out if your insurance plan covers nutritionists
You should contact your health insurance provider directly to find out what nutrition services are covered by your plan. Use the phone number on the back of your insurance card to get in touch with customer service.
Ask about your coverage. Some helpful questions to ask are:
- What coverage do I have for nutrition counseling?
- How much can I expect to pay out of pocket per RD visit, if anything at all?
- Are telehealth services covered for nutrition counseling?
- I have a diagnosis that requires nutrition counseling, what's covered?
- Do I need a doctor's referral or pre-authorization?
- How many RD sessions does my plan cover per year?
- Are there any specific registered dietitians who are in-network in my area?
💡 Tip: Write down the representative's name and reference number during your call – it helps if you need to follow up later.
Medicaid does cover nutrition counseling, but coverage varies by state. So it's still wise to check with your provider about what exactly is covered.
How do I find a nutritionist?
Finding an in-network provider with the right credentials might seem like a daunting task. But with a tool like Fay, it's simple.
Fay Nutrition has a database of vetted registered dietitians which enables you to find an in-network RD by state or service type. If you're looking for a nutritionist specifically to help you lose weight, support eating disorder recovery, educate you on diabetes management, or offer something else related to your health goals, you can filter your search accordingly so you only see providers who specialize in your area of concern. Similarly, you can filter by insurance so you only see those who are in your network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are nutritionists not covered by insurance?
Only registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are covered by insurance. The term "nutritionist" isn't a protected title, which means anyone can call themselves a nutritionist without the same formal training and credentials as an RD.
Insurance companies only pay for services that are proven to work through evidence-based research. RDs and RDNs have extensive education, clinical training, and board certification. They're legally permitted to provide medical nutrition therapy and diagnose nutrition-related conditions.
Other types of nutritionists – like health coaches or nutrition therapy practitioners – don't have these qualifications. That's why insurance won't cover their services. If you want insurance coverage, you need to see someone with RD or RDN credentials.
How to tell if a nutritionist is covered by insurance?
First, check their credentials. Make sure they're a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). If they don't have these credentials, insurance won't cover them.
Next, verify they're in-network with your insurance plan. You can do this by calling your insurance company or checking their online provider directory. Ask specifically if the RD is in-network for nutrition counseling or medical nutrition therapy.
You should also confirm what your plan covers. Some plans only cover RD services for certain diagnoses, or they might require a doctor's referral. Calling your insurance beforehand helps you avoid surprise bills.
A service like Fay handles this verification for you. They only connect you with in-network RDs and check your coverage before your first appointment.
How to get nutrition covered by insurance?
Start by finding a registered dietitian (RD or RDN). Only these credentialed professionals are covered by insurance.
Check if your insurance plan requires a doctor's referral. Many plans do, especially Medicare and some private insurance policies. If you need a referral, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor and explain that you want to see an RD.
Your doctor can write a prescription or referral for "medical nutrition therapy." This helps ensure your insurance processes the claim correctly.
Next, verify that the RD is in-network with your insurance plan. You can call the RD's office directly and ask, or check your insurance company's provider directory.
Some plans require pre-authorization before you start treatment. The RD's office can usually handle this paperwork for you. Ask them if they need any additional information from your doctor or insurance company.
If this all feels complicated, you're not alone.
Services like Fay simplify the process by connecting you with in-network RDs and handling all the insurance details on your behalf.
The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.
