Most health insurance plans cover nutrition visits in person and via telehealth at NO COST to you!
Use the guide below for questions to ask your insurance provider regarding coverage. Forms of PAYMENT Accepted if insurance will not cover your visit include cash, check, credit/debit cards, HSA & FSA cards. A credit/debit card on file is required to secure appointments.
Insurance Plans Accepted:
Medicare (Only covers nutrition counseling for diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Always requires a referral from your primary care doctor before your visit. Have them fax a referral to us at 855-300-7205). We cannot see you until this is completed.
Tricare
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Typically has very good preventative nutrition benefits. No referral needed).
Cigna (Typically covers at least 3 visits each calendar year for preventative nutrition counseling. No referral needed).
United Healthcare (Typically requires a diagnosis of overweight or obese along with a risk factor for heart disease like pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Sometimes other diagnosis are covered. Have your doctor fax over your latest progress note to 855-300-7205 to aid in coverage).
Aetna (Some Aetna plans have preventative coverage for weight and may cover other diagnoses. A referral is not required but preferred. Having your doctor fax over your latest progress note can be helpful in assisting with the coverage of your visit. See fax number above).
Multiplan
First Health
Medicare Advantage Plans (Follows Medicare guidelines and only covers nutrition counseling for diabetes and chronic kidney disease. A faxed referral is required prior to your visit. Fax to 855-300-7205).
Verification questions to ask your insurance↓
Do I have nutritional counseling coverage on my insurance plan?
If the insurance company asks for a CPT code please provide them with the following codes 97802 & 97803. If they say you do not have coverage using those codes NEXT ask them to check your coverage for the following CPT codes: 99401, 99402, 99403 and 99404.
Will my diagnosis be covered?
If the representative asks for a diagnosis code – please tell them the visit is coded the ICD 10 code: Z71.3
I always code your visit using preventative coding to maximize the number of visits you receive from your insurance carrier.
If you do not have coverage for Z71.3, ask the insurance rep to provide you with the codes that are covered under your plan for nutrition counseling.
How many visits do I have per calendar year?
Your carrier will let you know how many visits they are willing to cover. Depending on the carrier the number of visits vary from 0 to unlimited depending on medical need.
Have I met my deductible?
In the event you have a deductible, the cost of your visit will be collected at the time of service.
Do I have a co-pay for nutritional counseling?
For most insurance companies I am considered a specialist. Therefore, your specialist co-pay is applicable and is payable at the time of service. This information is often apparent on the front of your actual insurance card.
Can I use Eat Practical for my Medical nutrition therapy?
Ask if Eat Practical, LLC (NPI# 1548748676) or Sarah Volling, RD/LDN (NPI# 1154838530) is a covered provider under my plan? If not, what are my out-of network nutrition benefits?