Key Points:
- Both Fay and Dietitian Live help users get dietitian services covered by health insurance.
- Fay offers a broad network of expert dietitians offering highly specialized care with completely custom nutrition counseling.
- Dietitian Live has a smaller RD network with a faith-based approach that emphasizes mindset.
If you’ve just been given a new diagnosis, like Type 2 Diabetes or high cholesterol, or you’re working to take control of your health to feel more energized and support a healthy lifestyle, you probably already know that adjusting what you eat is one of the best ways to do that.
But to achieve lasting results, you need expert support. Registered dietitians are the most qualified nutrition experts out there. Working one-on-one with a dietitian is one of the most proven approaches to long-term wellness. And you can access these expert services more easily than ever with online platforms that pair you with an RD who can work with you at a much more affordable rate than previously accessible.
Fay and Dietitian Live are two online nutrition counseling platforms that help individuals get nutrition counseling covered by health insurance. Both platforms offer dietitian services, but each platform has its own approach. Read on to learn more about each platform and what makes each stand out to support your nutrition and health goals.
Fay vs. Dietitian Live at a glance
| Fay | Dietitian Live | |
| Insurance coverage | Covers 700+ insurance plans | Works with 7 providers |
| Number of providers | 3,600+ All independent with their own private practices | 100+ |
| Offers mobile app | ✔ Meal logging and goal tracking, 24/7 provider chat | ❌ |
| Care approach | Focuses on flexible care that works with your individual lifestyle | Focuses on belief- and mindset-based transformation |
| Offers custom nutrition services | ✔ Every RD takes a completely custom approach tailored to your health concerns and goals | ✔ |
What is Fay?
Fay matches individuals to highly qualified dietitians for personalized nutrition counseling. With Fay, you can easily match with a dietitian who specializes in your area of concern, like managing a health condition or losing weight, and get your care covered by health insurance. Sessions are available both virtually and in person across all 50 states.
All providers in the network are vetted Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Fay works with most major insurance carriers to help cover the cost of care, including:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Humana
- Select Health
- United Healthcare
How it works:
- Search for a dietitian based on your specific health needs and insurance coverage, or get matched by Fay’s system.
- Get your care cost estimate of out-of-pocket costs, which will later be confirmed after billing to your insurance.
- Meet with your provider in person or virtually every week or as needed.
- Fay handles the billing and claims process directly with insurance providers on your behalf so you don’t have to worry.
What is Dietitian Live?
Dietitian Live is a nutrition service platform that focuses on belief-driven nutrition healing. Using its Quantum Mind Architecture Method, Dietitian Live uses nutrition and linguistic neuroplasty to transform clients’ beliefs about themselves and food.
How it works
- Book your free first session.
- Confirm your appointment and fill in your health insurance details.
- Meet your dietitian virtually through telehealth.
Compare Fay vs. Dietitian Live benefits
Fay and Dietitian Live both offer dietitian services covered by health insurance, but each platform has a different approach to nutrition counseling. Learn more about each platform to see which is right for your health goals.
Expertise
Fay
With Fay, you can be sure to find the exact right provider for your needs and goals. With a network of 3,600+ dietitians and an in-depth search tool, Fay works hard to ensure every client-dietitian match is a great one.
You can filter by:
- Health insurance, to ensure you’re covered
- Location, if you want to meet in person
- Specialty, like metabolic health, behavioral nutrition, or diabetes care
- Gender
- Language
- Diet and cuisine
- Modality, like cognitive behavioral therapy or intuitive eating
All providers are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, the highest qualification a nutritionist can have.
Dietitian Live
Dietitian Live’s 100+ providers support a variety of conditions and health concerns, including GERD, autoimmune disorders, GLP-1s and weight loss, men’s health, menopause, ADHD, and sports nutrition, all underscored by its faith-based Quantum Mind Architecture Method. All providers are registered dietitians.
Insurance coverage
Fay
Fay accepts 700+ insurance plans across all 50 states, including all major insurance providers.
If your insurance plan requires pre-authorization, you can ask your dietitian if they can handle this for you so you don’t have to worry.
Dietitian Live
Dietitian Live accepts health insurance in 49 states (except Michigan) from the following providers:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- HealthPartners Park Nicollet
- Highmark
- United Healthcare
Provider network
Fay
Fay has a large network of 3,600+ specialized dietitians. All providers go through a rigorous four-step vetting process to confirm they are both qualified and have a proven track record. Fay also measures and monitors providers’ ongoing outcomes to ensure consistent excellence.
Dietitians who work with Fay operate independently and own their own practice. Every provider is a board-certified Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Dietitian Live
Dietitian Live has a small network of 100+ registered dietitians.
Cost
Fay
Fay clients pay as little as $0 per session with insurance (compared to $150+ per session without insurance coverage).
Fay offers a pricing estimation tool that uses your insurance information to get the most accurate estimate possible:
- Fay verifies the validity of your insurance and the eligibility and coverage with your insurer;
- Available cost-sharing details (such as copays or deductibles) are reviewed;
- Fay generates the most accurate estimate possible based on returned data.
Pricing depends on several factors, including your specific insurance plan, deductibles status, how the insurer applies copays, and more.
Dietitian Live
Most Dietitian Live clients pay $0 out of pocket. If your insurance isn’t covered, you also have the option to pay yourself or through an HSA account.
Availability
Fay
With Fay, all RDs work virtually and many work in person as well. You can find providers in all 50 states.
Every provider’s availability is clearly displayed on their profile, so you know exactly who’s available and when. This makes it easy to compare two providers’ specialties, ratings, and availability. You can either book directly through each profile from the search result page, or go through Fay’s matching service to find a provider who suits your needs.
Dietitian Live
You can only see dietitians’ availability through Dietitian Live’s booking portal. You can browse their individual profiles through the database. Dietitian Live does not support Michigan residents.
App
Fay
Fay offers a comprehensive mobile app that keeps you connected to your dietitian between appointments, helping you stay on track with your goals.
The chat function is open 24/7, enabling easy communication between you and your RD. The app encourages steady progress with daily to-dos, which you can customize yourself based on your goals, or your RD can help set.
You can also log meals (including photos), track symptoms, and share your latest wins and concerns.
Dietitian Live
Dietitian Live does not offer a mobile app.
How to choose the right nutrition service provider
Just because someone has the proper qualifications doesn’t mean they’re the right fit for you. Working with a dietitian is a very personal process. When comparing options, these factors can help inform your decision:
- Cost and insurance: Coverage will vary by insurance provider and plan, and your final price often isn’t 100% confirmed until after your first appointment. Input your insurance information to get your estimated cost to see if the service is accessible to you.
- Specialty: All dietitians are qualified to offer nutrition services, but many choose to specialize in a particular area. Look for an RD who focuses on your area of concern. Many nutrition services that allow you to filter by specialty or need to find the right dietitian for you.
- Availability and scheduling: Some RDs only work online while others also offer in-person services. Consider what kind of support you want and when you want to meet, whether it’s during the day, in the evenings, or on the weekends.
- Additional benefits: Working with a dietitian is more than just a meal plan or weekly appointment. Ongoing support is crucial for lasting success, so look for platforms that offer mobile app support, helpful resources, and robust features like meal tracking.
Ultimately, the right platform is one that pairs you with a dietitian who specializes in your needs, prioritizes thoughtful and personalized support, and accepts your insurance.
Final thoughts
Both Fay and Dietitian Live enable you to get nutrition counseling services covered by health insurance. If you’re looking for a faith-based platform with a small RD database that focuses on mindset, Dietitian Live is a good option. But if you want to be able to choose from a large range of dietitians to find the exact fit for your needs, or your insurance isn’t one of the seven providers Dietitian Live accepts, Fay is the right platform for you.
The right choice depends on your personal needs and insurance coverage. What’s most important is finding a provider who listens to your concerns, provides supportive expertise, and empowers you to build lasting habits for a healthier life.
Start your nutrition journey today.
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.
