Why a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

 

A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) has the unique ability to bring the science behind food, nutrition, and health alive in a practical and useful way to provide everyday solutions to promote a quality lifestyle.  Evidence - based studies and national health guidelines promote medical nutrition therapy provided by dietitians as part of disease prevention and management.

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A RDs or RDNs are the nutrition experts. To become an RD or RDN not only does one complete a rigorous education curriculum and training program from an accredited university and internship program, but also must pass a board certified registration exam.  Additionally, many RDs and RDNs hold graduate degrees and have certifications in specific areas of practice. To maintain the status of credientially RDs or RDNs must complete 75 hours of continuing education every five years approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  
 

What is tele-health?

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Tele-health is a virtual live session between you and the health provider using video and/or telephone conferencing. This type of conferencing provides a convenient and flexible way to manage your wellness goals in the comfort of your home or office.

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Are the tele-health sessions secure?

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Yes.  The sessions are private, secure, and HIPPA compliant through the Practice Better portal.  The Practice Better portal is how we will communicate.

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How are appointments scheduled? 

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Scheduling an appointment is easy!  Start with a Discovery Sessions.  Select "See Details" for more information or "Request to Book" where a calendar will populate.  

Once a date and time is selected, next you will be asked to complete a contact form.   This will request a session for the service.  We will confirm the appointment.  

 

All Discovery Sessions will be a 15 minute free phone call.  

 

We will schedule the service that is right for you at the Discovery Session.  Further sessions will be through Practice Better Portal. You will receive a welcome invite email confirming the scheduled session.   Once signed into the my Practice Better portal, please complete the requested forms within 48 hours of scheduling the appointment.  The appointment will be held by completing the forms. 

 

Do you take insurance?

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Currently full with a waiting list. Provider for Cigna, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and United HealthCare.  Please check with your insurance to see if medical nutrition therapy or preventive nutrition services are covered.  Some question to ask your company are, "Do I have Nutrition Services on my insurance coverage?", "Will my diagnosis be covered?" , "How many visits do I have per calendar year?"  

 

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How is payment made? 

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Payment is due upon completion of our session. If  your insurance will not cover nutrition service or you have a plan we do not accept, you will receive an invoice. We require a credit card to be put on file in your Practice Better portal to ensure an alternative payment option in the event insurance will not cover the session. 

 

What is the cancellation policy?

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You will receive an appointment reminder prior to the scheduled appointment. We require at least 24 hours notice for a cancelled appointment or a charge of $30.00 will be implemented on your account. Please make every effort to reschedule or cancel as soon as possible if your schedule changes.  

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Why do I need to put a credit card on file in my Practice Better portal?

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We require a credit card to be put on file in the portal prior to the first session (after your Discovery Call). In the event of a no show or a cancellation made less than 24 hours prior to an appointment, the credit card on file will be charged a cancellation fee of $30.00.

 

We also require a credit card in the event that your insurance does not cover the full expense of the session. In this event, your credit card will be charged the amount not covered by insurance.

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Do you work with my doctor or other health profession?

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Yes with your permission.  

 

What is a Health and Wellness Coach?

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The profession of health and wellness coaches is relatively new and is growing fast.  There is no one certification program, hence a variety of certifications exist.  Many of the health and wellness coaches programs of training require credentials as a health or fitness profession to enroll into their program.  American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) are two credentialing associations that administer examinations to individuals that want to attain the distinction of certified health coaches (CHCs).  Other programs such university, doctor or online based are available and have there own credentialing process. These programs may or may not require a health or fitness professional background for enrollment and certification. Most certification programs require continuing education to maintain the certification credentials.

 

Health and wellness coaches are in an unique position to bridge the gaps found in the health care system by being an advocate to an individual client and empowering the individual to make changes that are aligned with their values for well being.  Health and Wellness Coaches may approach the promotion of wellness and lifestyle management slightly different, however the components embraced are similar by viewing the individual as a whole person with the understanding that complexities make up the whole person such as physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental, social, financial, spiritual, and sleep.  The goal of the coach is to guide the individual towards their vision of well being by balancing all these components leading from the heart in a respectful, non-judgmental, and empathetic way as they provide an unconditional positive regard for their clients and a belief in the client's capacity for change, and honoring that each client is an expert on his or her life.  The coach will actively listen with curiosity in order to empower the individual's strengths and acknowledges past and present challenges while maintaining a healing presence. 

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Are Registered Dietitians (RDs) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) or Health and Wellness Coaches required to be state licensed?

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According to the Center for Nutrition Advocacy, it will depend on the individual state's scope of practice for nutrition and/or medical nutrition therapy.  RDs and RDNs have a professional scope of practice in most states with credentials criteria.  Health and wellness coaches are certified by private credentialing programs and are not required to licensed.

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