Insurance Coverage for Nutrition Counseling
We are currently accepting insurance coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare. Benefits and requirements are different from plan to plan. Therefore, it is very important to contact your insurance member services department to check your coverage and requirements. The phone number is on the back of your card. To help, we've put together some important questions to ask your member services representative and important requirements for each insurance company.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
HMO Plans
HMO plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield require a Managed Care Referral (aka Referral to see a Specialist). We need this referral before your first appointment. For information on what to ask the service representative regarding coverage and how to obtain a Managed Care Referral view the BCBS Information.
PPO and Other Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans
PPO and many other BCBS plans (except for HMO) provide coverage without a Managed Care Referral. View the BCBS information.
United Healthcare
United Healthcare requires a Doctor’s Order or sometimes called a Prescription for Service. The only exception is if you are considered overweight or obese. It’s very important that we receive your doctor’s order prior to your first visit. Promptly contacting your doctor will give them the necessary time to provide the required information prior to your first visit. For information on what to ask the service representative regarding coverage and how to obtain a doctor’s order see the United Healthcare Information.
UMR
UMR requires a Doctor’s Order or sometimes called a Prescription for Service. It’s very important that we receive your doctor’s order prior to your first visit. Promptly contacting your doctor will give them the necessary time to provide the required information prior to your first visit. For information on what to ask the service representative regarding coverage and how to obtain a doctor’s order view the UMR Information.
Please contact Insurance@weightandwellness.com with any additional questions.
FAQs about insurance coverage
Q: What are your in-network insurances? Answer
We are providers of Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Healthcare. We only send claims to these insurance companies. Policies within these companies vary. Not all policies cover nutrition counseling.
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Q: Do you accept insurance other than Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Healthcare? Answer
No, currently we are only contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare. If you want to submit a claim to your insurance we can provide you with the necessary information. Please let us know at the time of booking your appointment so we can have the paperwork ready for you to take with you to submit to your insurance company. You will need to pay for your appointment at the time of service.
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Q: What is the cost of nutrition counseling? Answer
The insurance rate for an initial consultation (1 1/2-hours) is $300 and a follow-up consultation (1-hour) is $160.
We can give a discounted rate for private pay clients, those who pay out-of-pocket at the time of service. The private pay rate for an initial consultation (1 1/2-hours) is $250 and a follow-up consultation (1-hour) is $120. It is important to know if you want to send a claim into insurance or private pay before your appointment. If we submit a claim for nutrition counseling and your claim is denied, you will be required to pay the full insurance rate
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Q: Will my Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Healthcare insurance policy cover nutritional counseling? Answer
There are many different plans, and we cannot guarantee that your policy will cover nutrition counseling. It is your responsibility to call the member services number on the back of your card to verify your coverage before you schedule your appointment. If we submit a claim for nutrition counseling and your claim is denied, you will be required to pay the full insurance rate.
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Q: What if I have more than one insurance policy? Answer
We can only submit claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Healthcare. One of those policies needs to be your primary insurance for us to submit a claim. If you are unsure which insurance is primary, please call a service representative of either insurance and ask.
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Q: What if my insurance doesn’t cover nutrition counseling or denies coverage once a claim is submitted? Answer
The insurance rate for an initial consultation (1 1/2-hours) is $300 and a follow-up consultation (1-hour) is $160.
We can give a discounted rate for private pay clients, those who pay out-of-pocket at the time of service. The private pay rate for an initial consultation (1 1/2-hours) is $250 and a follow-up consultation (1-hour) is $120. It is important to know if you want to send a claim into insurance or private pay before your appointment. If we submit a claim for nutrition counseling and your claim is denied, you will be required to pay the full insurance rate
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Q: Will I have a co-pay for a nutrition counseling appointment? Answer
You may, you will need to ask your member service representative. We do not collect co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles at the time of your appointment. If you have a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible, you will be billed.
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Q: Will I need a referral from my doctor? Answer
That depends on the plan. Because there are many different plans, it is your responsibility to call the member services number on the back of your card to verify your coverage for nutrition counseling and find out whether you will need a referral from your doctor before you schedule your appointment.
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Q: How many times can I see a nutritionist? Answer
That depends on the plan. Because there are many different plans, it is your responsibility to call the member services number on the back of your card to verify your coverage for nutrition counseling and to see if there is a limit to the number of nutrition counseling sessions allowed.
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Q: Can I use my HSA or FSA account to pay for products and services at Nutritional Weight & Wellness? Answer
We cannot guarantee our products and services are allowable under your HSA or FSA account. Contact your HSA or FSA account manager for more information.
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Q: Does insurance cover nutrition classes? Answer
For more information about virtual or in-person nutrition counseling, refer to our main counseling page.
Still have questions?
Give us a call at 651-699-3438, use the chat in the bottom right, or fill out the form below.
