Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to insurance coverage, the distinction between a dietitian and a nutritionist matters.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Completed an accredited degree, supervised internship, national board exam, and continuing education.
Licensed to provide medical nutrition therapy for both prevention and disease management.
Most insurance companies only cover services when provided by an RDN.
Nutritionist
The term “nutritionist” isn’t regulated in many states – anyone can call themselves one.
Some may have advanced training, but insurance rarely covers their services.
Bottom line: If you want to use insurance benefits, choose an RDN.
What’s Typically Covered?
Every plan is different, but here are common scenarios where nutrition counseling is covered:
Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney disease, or digestive issues
Preventive services for people at risk (e.g., prediabetes, elevated BMI – even though we agree, BMI is BS, family history)
Nutrition counseling visits ordered by a physician
Both in-person and telehealth appointments
Coverage can either be unlimited or includes a set number of visits per year, and some plans may require a referral or diagnosis code. That’s why it’s important to check your benefits directly with your insurance provider – or let our team do it for you.
Why Use Your Benefits Before Year-End?
Many insurance plans reset in January, which means any unused visits may be lost. Here’s how to make sure you don’t miss out:
Check your benefits – Call your insurance company or let our team verify coverage for you. We even wrote this script to make it super easy for you!
See what’s left – You may have visits remaining that won’t roll over.
Book before the holidays – Schedules fill quickly, so secure your spot now.
Use it or lose it – Don’t let paid-for benefits go to waste! This includes your HSA/FSA, which can often be used towards fitness coaching as well!
Why Work with Our Team
At Katie Hake Health & Fitness, LLC, we make the process simple:
We provide you with a script to verify your benefits so you know exactly what’s covered
We bill insurance directly (for most major plans)
We offer both in-person and virtual visits for your convenience
We have daytime, evening, and weekend availability to match your schedule
Our dietitians provide evidence-based, compassionate care from a non-diet perspective
Whether you’re managing a health condition or just want to feel more energized, confident, and at peace with food, our team is here to help.
Take the Next Step
If you’ve been curious about working with a dietitian, now is the time. Don’t let your insurance benefits expire unused! We accept Anthem and UnitedHealthcare at this time.
