How To Talk To A Dietitian Online For Free (Or Almost Free)

If you’re looking for credible, helpful nutrition information, you should consult a registered dietitian (sometimes called a registered dietitian nutritionist). 

They’re credentialed healthcare professionals who can help you achieve your health goals through the power of food and lifestyle changes. 

Read on to learn how you can access dietitian services online for free. 

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How to Talk to a Dietitian Online for Free

Nourish has made it easy for you to talk to a dietitian online without paying out of pocket.

To get started, follow these steps. 

1. Fill out a brief form with your information. Enter your insurance information and key health concerns. 
2. Book an initial appointment with a dietitian who fits your needs and schedule. 
3. Attend your appointment, get to know each other, set goals, and book follow-up visits. 

Benefits of Virtual Nutrition Counseling

Not sure if virtual counseling is right for you? Here are some potential benefits of virtual nutrition counseling: 

Access a Wider Pool of Dietitians 

Nourish has a directory with hundreds of dietitians nationwide offering online nutrition services.

You can certainly find someone who aligns with your health needs, whether that be:

• Eating disorder support. 
• Diabetes care. 
• Prenatal nutrition. 
• Cardiovascular wellness. 
• Kidney health. 

Things to look for in your dietitian are their specializations, nutrition philosophies, and availability. 

Sometimes, working with someone who understands the nuances you’ve grown up with can be nice and help you feel more comfortable.

That means you might consider additional factors like language, age, and culture when picking a dietitian.  

Can be Easier to Attend Appointments 

Unexpected hiccups can make it harder to attend appointments.

Car troubles, changes to a bus schedule, or having a sick kid at home to take care of can suddenly impact your availability.

Using online services can bypass many of these factors (as long as your phone or laptop has power). 

More Scheduling Flexibility 

You can probably find a way to fit a virtual nutrition appointment into your schedule since you don’t have to worry about commuting or a tight work schedule. 

So, if you want to book an appointment during your lunch hour—you can (permitting you have a comfortable and private space to talk). 

Less Stress Being in an Office 

Attending a health clinic can be stressful for some people, and receiving nutrition care from the comfort of your home might be more appealing. 

Virtual nutrition counseling makes this possible, and it feels good to arrive at your appointment clearly and focused instead of anxious. 

Does Insurance Cover Virtual Visits with a Dietitian?

Some insurance providers cover virtual dietitian visits (which is an important distinction, as some providers only cover in-person appointments). 

If you’re interested in remote nutrition counseling, you may want to register with some of these insurance providers: 

BCBS

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans typically cover nutrition therapy if you have been diagnosed with certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. 

Some plans include a nutrition therapy benefit, while others require a referral from your healthcare provider stating that it’s medically necessary.

UnitedHealthcare

In many cases, UnitedHealthcare covers nutrition counseling when ordered by a provider.

Their coverage includes registered dietitians and excludes non-credentialed providers like nutritionists.

UMR

UMR is a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare and may provide coverage for some online nutrition services.

You may need a physician’s referral to be covered.   

Aetna

Aetna may cover your nutrition counseling sessions if you have a nutrition-related diagnosis. 

You may be required to obtain a referral from your healthcare provider.

Aetna may also have time limits on nutrition therapy sessions, capping your time to 55 minutes per session.

Cigna 

Nutrition counseling may be covered on Cigna insurance plans, but coverage can vary. 

You will likely need a referral and diagnosis from your physician to be covered. 

Medicare

Medicare can cover your online nutrition counseling sessions if ordered by a doctor for specific medical conditions. 

For example, they cover patients seeking medical nutrition therapy for chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. 

Anthem

Anthem covers telehealth appointments, including remote dietitian visits. Similarly to other providers, you may need a physician’s referral to be eligible for coverage. 

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How to Find Out What Your Insurance Plan Covers 

The best way to determine what nutrition services your insurance plan covers is to contact your insurance provider. 

Many factors can affect your eligibility, so speaking to someone directly can clarify what you’re eligible to claim through insurance. 

Many large insurance providers cover dietitian services, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, United Healthcare, and Aetna. 

If you provide your International Classification Code (or ICD code), your insurance company might be more likely to approve your claim.

Your physician can provide you with this code. 

We have more information on this topic in this blog post: Does insurance cover dietitians and nutritionists? 

What if I Don't Have Insurance or My Plan Doesn't Cover Virtual Visits?

If you don’t have private health insurance, you may be eligible for government-funded health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. 

However, these programs have strict criteria (they only cover specific diagnoses, etc.), and you will need to speak with a state representative to fully understand if you’re eligible and what coverage they provide. 

If your plan doesn’t cover virtual visits, you may need to pay for appointments out of pocket. 

How Much Does it Cost to See a Dietitian Online With Insurance?

Insurance should cover most (or all) of your costs but might have an annual limit.

For example, your provider may say you have $500 to spend on online dietitian appointments annually. 

With coverage, you should be able to claim the total cost of your appointment, therefore paying zero dollars out of pocket.

We can’t predict how much your dietitian appointment will cost with insurance because the rates vary greatly per state.

Instead, we recommend inquiring about the cost with an eligible dietitian before completing an appointment. 

How Much Does it Cost Without Insurance?

The cost of seeing a dietitian without insurance varies depending on your location.

For example, dietitians living and working in a state with higher living costs will probably charge more to sustain their practice.

Connecting with the dietitian will help you learn the cost.

Some dietitians may offer “sliding scale” prices if you’re without insurance, but you’ll need to inquire with them directly. 

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Takeaway

Through insurance, you can access free nutrition counseling.

We recommend connecting with your healthcare provider before booking a dietitian appointment to ensure you’re eligible for coverage. 

Nourish employs hundreds of dietitians nationwide, who currently accept the following major insurance providers:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield. 
• UnitedHealthcare.
• UMR.
• Aetna.
• Cigna.
• Medicare.
• Anthem. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

A registered dietitian can support all of your nutritional goals through individual counseling. 

At every appointment, they’ll deliver comprehensive medical nutrition therapy to help you manage chronic conditions.

They can also help with everyday functions like grocery shopping on a budget or building a meal plan for more energy. 

By signing up with Nourish, you will have the opportunity to receive nutrition counseling that’s covered by insurance.

We work with most major insurance providers and are very proud to share that 94% of our current users pay zero dollars out of pocket.  

Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish today.