What Does it Look Like to Work with a Dietitian at As You Are Nutrition?

Perhaps you have been curious about meeting with a dietitian for nutrition counseling. Maybe your doctor has referred you to a dietitian in the past but you didn’t know what it would be like. If you are curious about working with a non-diet dietitian at As You Are Nutrition, this blog post will walk you through what the process looks like and what you can expect. 

Step 1: Fill Out Webform

Complete this form on our website to let us know what you are looking for. Once you share your contact information and a little bit about your nutrition needs, our intake coordinator will reach out to you to and match you with one of our dietitians.

Step 2: Check Insurance Coverage

Yes, we take insurance! Most of our clients have nutrition benefits under their insurance plan. However, using your insurance that we are in network with does not guarantee coverage. It is best for you to call your insurance company or ask the benefits department the details of your plan using our script below.  Insurance is confusing, so our admin staff tries to be as knowledgeable as possible to answer any questions you may have.

To check your insurance benefits, ask them:

1). Does my plan cover outpatient nutrition counseling? (Billing codes 97802 and 97803). If yes, how many sessions are allowed per year?

2). Does my plan cover visits that are “medically necessary” OR do they also cover “preventative services” (diagnosis code Z71.3)? *Ask us for the medical diagnosis code that we will be working under.

3). Do I have any copays OR do I have to meet a deductible first?

4). Are telehealth visits (virtual sessions) an included benefit for nutrition therapy?

5). Record the reps name and a reference number for the call. *This will be necessary if you ever need to dispute a rejected claim.

Step 4: Complete Intake Forms

Complete the intake forms through our client portal. Once you complete the forms, including a release of information form for your doctor/psychiatrist, we can request a referral. In order to provide medical nutrition therapy in the state of California, we need a physician or psychiatrist referral with a diagnosis. Whether you are paying out of pocket or with your health insurance, we need a referral on file. This helps us adhere to the scope of practice laws in CA and provide better care to you by coordinating with your medical team. 

Our administrative team can help you track down the referral and we can get started right away. If you are a therapist or clinician that wants to refer a client, you can fill out our HIPAA compliant webform on our website. Physicians and psychiatrists can find more information on how to make a referral here. 

Ready to start working with us before you’ve seen a medical provider? No problem. Your dietitian can help match you with a doctor for more comprehensive care.

Step 5: The Initial Nutrition Assessment, 60-70min

Now that you have completed paperwork, you can schedule your first session with your dietitian through your client portal! At this session, we will listen to your needs and priorities to create a plan. The full nutrition assessment will include whatever you feel comfortable sharing; medical history, labs, medications, supplements, food preferences, eating habits, sleep patterns, movement/exercise, stress levels, body image concerns, relationship with food — just to name a few. In addition to gathering health and background information, your dietitian will begin to establish trust and rapport with you. We always say that we might be knowledgeable about nutrition, but you are the expert of your body. 

Step 6: Follow-up Sessions, 55min

This is where progress, not perfection, takes place and therefore it’s impossible to fail.  It’s your time to talk through, feel, and unpack any challenges you are facing. As a team, we will be creating nutrition tools for your toolbox so you feel more confident navigating those challenges.  These tools could be meal planning, new knowledge, mindful eating, coping skills, gentle structure, body movement, Intuitive Eating, and more.  Depending on your individualized nutrition goals, you can start seeing progress from 3-6 sessions. Timing can vary greatly and we often work with clients for months or even years. As your dietitian, we are the co-pilot helping you navigate where to go on your health journey. Check out our blog post on what progress can look like when you don’t focus on weight loss in nutrition counseling. 

Ready to get started on your new health journey?