Frequently Asked Questions

Registered Dietitians (RD)* or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN)* are individuals who have

• completed the minimum of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent;

• met current minimum academic requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics) as approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;

• completed a supervised practice program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;

• successfully completed the Registration Examination for Dietitians

Nutrition is complex and can often be more nuanced than we think.  Everyone has individualized nutrition needs and in meeting with a dietitian at Radiant Nutrition, there's an opportunity to receive care that feels most aligned to your specific needs.  Here are some benefits of working with one of our RDs.  We: 

• provide individualized nutrition care.

• practice from an evidence-based lens.

• acknowledge the importance of building healthy relationships to food and body.

• offer emotional support and find compassionate ways to address challenges surrounding food and health conditions.

• understand the unique life factors that may affect one's individual nutrition needs.

Registered dietitian:

• Bachelors and Masters degree from an accredited university

• Dietetic Internship which includes at least 1,200 hours of supervised practice

• National Accreditation Exam and State Licensure

• 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years

Nutritionist:

• The term "nutritionist" is a self-proclaimed title that has no protection by the law

• There is no formal education required

• By law, nutritionists cannot provide individualized, health condition-specific medical nutrition therapy 

• Services are not covered by insurance because of the lack of licensing

When we begin working with a new client our goal is to learn their medical history, past and current diet and exercise habits and self-care activities. Using this information we formulate a plan of education and action to help with recovery and achievement of goals. Most of our work is based on a clients values and needs as we feel this leads to long-lasting behavior change.

The number of times we meet will completely depend on why we are meeting. We will talk about your personal goals for growth and change, how ready and motivated you are, what support you have in your life along with your health history and a variety of other factors. The frequency and duration of our work together varies and we will assess how you are doing at each visit. Ultimately, it is up to you as to how long you need to work on your goals. We are always happy to provide recommendations for the frequency of appointments, but we want you to determine if our time together is effective and meeting your needs and expectations.

Initial consultations are ~90 minutes and follow-up visits depend on your plan for behavior change. Every plan is individualized. My hope is to be able to identify key areas to begin our work together by the end of the initial session and create a vision for moving forward

Follow-up sessions typically occur on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, although we have clients that see us more and less frequently depending on their individual needs. Each session may last 30, 45 or 60 minutes, depending on your needs. We will revisit your goals at each session and work on continued strategies for recovery and lifestyle change.

You can still work us as we meet everyone where they are in their wellness journey! Many of our clients feel this way when they reach out to us. Most want to stop thinking about food all the time and are tired of the constant manipulation of macronutrients and calorie counting. Often they feel stuck, isolated and frustrated. Sadly, diet culture ignores our history with food, body movement or how our bodies are uniquely different. That being said, these thoughts and concerns are okay! Our ultimate goal is to support you as you work to fuel your body what it needs and sort through your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about your body and relationship with food.

Currently, we are able to take credit card, health savings cards, checks, and cash. We do offer a sliding scale and payment plans for advanced session purchases. We are also a provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. If you have another type of insurance, we would be happy to provide you with a Superbill for reimbursement.

1. Check your insurance card for the Customer Service telephone number.

2. Call the Customer Service number and explain to them that you need to verify your benefits for "diet and nutrition counseling".

3. The most common CPT codes used by Radiant Nutrition are:

   Initial Assessment (first appointment) = CPT Code 97802​

   Follow-Up Sessions = CPT Code 97803

4. Ask how many sessions are covered per year?

5. Ask if you have a deductible for diet and nutrition counseling.​

6. If yes, how much is it and how much has been met so far?
   Is there a co-payment for each visit or what is the percentage of coverage?

7. Are there any restrictions and/or limitations to my coverage (ie. diagnosis codes or tele-health coverage)?

8. Lastly, please make sure to ask if we are in-network providers for your plan. If any of our providers are found, that means we are all in-network with your plan.

At Radiant Nutrition, we require at least a 48-hour notice for cancellation of appointments. If you cancel less than 48 hours before your appointment or do not show up for your appointment, you will be charged the full session fee. For further questions, contact us at info@radiant-nutrition.com