Medicare
Medicare dietitian coverage: diabetes and kidney disease.
Medicare Part B covers visits with a Registered Dietitian for diabetes and chronic kidney disease, with a referral from your doctor. If you qualify, visits are usually $0.
- We are in network with Medicare
- We check whether you qualify before your first visit
- Not covered for your reason? Clear self-pay rates, told to you up front
Questions about your Medicare plan? Call or text 470-731-9176.
What Medicare covers
Medicare covers nutrition therapy for three conditions.
Medicare calls this benefit medical nutrition therapy. It is narrower than most private insurance, which often covers nutrition visits as preventive care.
Covered by Medicare Part B
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease, stages 3 to 5, when you are not on dialysis
- Within 36 months after a kidney transplant
You need a referral from your doctor for one of these conditions.
Not covered by Medicare
- Weight loss or weight management
- Prediabetes
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure on their own
- Gut health or general wellness
You can still see us for these at our self-pay rates.
The rules
How the Medicare nutrition benefit works.
A doctor's referral is required
Medicare only pays for nutrition therapy when your doctor refers you for diabetes or kidney disease. The referral should name the condition. Ask your doctor's office to send it to us, or bring it to your first visit. Doctors can use our physician referral page.
How much time is covered
Original Medicare covers up to 3 hours of nutrition care in your first year and up to 2 hours each year after that. If your health or treatment changes, your doctor can refer you again for more time.
What you pay
If you qualify, visits are usually $0. We confirm your coverage before your first visit and tell you your cost in writing.
Where you can be seen
In person at our Alpharetta and Buckhead offices, or by secure video. We bill insurance in network for clients in Georgia, Florida, California and Pennsylvania.
Other Medicare plans
Medicare Advantage, supplements and second insurance.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
These plans come from companies such as UnitedHealthcare, Aetna or Anthem, and they replace Original Medicare. They must cover at least what Medicare covers, so diabetes and kidney disease visits are covered with a referral.
Some Advantage plans say they cover more. A phone answer is not always right, so we only count on extra benefits once the plan confirms them in writing.
Medicare supplement (Medigap)
A supplement, such as Plan G or Plan N, sits behind Original Medicare. It helps pay your share for services Medicare already covers. It does not add nutrition coverage. If Medicare doesn't cover a visit, the supplement won't either.
This includes supplements with a familiar name on the card, such as Aetna or Anthem.
Medicare plus work insurance
If you have Medicare and a second plan through your own or your spouse's job, that second plan may cover nutrition visits under its own rules. We check both plans for you.
Coming in for weight or prediabetes?
We would still love to help. Because Medicare won't pay for these visits, we ask you to sign a short Medicare form, called an Advance Beneficiary Notice, that says you understand this. Visits are then $225 for the first (60 minutes) and $110 for follow-ups. HSA and FSA accepted.
Before your first visit
What to bring.
- Your red, white and blue Medicare card, plus any Medicare Advantage, supplement or other insurance card you have
- Your doctor's referral for nutrition therapy, or your doctor's name and office phone so we can request it
- Recent lab results, such as your A1C, blood sugar or kidney labs, if you have them
- A list of your medicines and any supplements you take
- Your questions and goals. What would make the biggest difference for you right now?
How it works
We check your Medicare benefits for you.
We find out which Medicare plan pays first, whether your reason for coming in is covered, and what you will owe.
Step one
Book a visit
Book online in about two minutes, or call or text 470-731-9176. Have your insurance card handy.
Step two
We call your plan
We contact your insurance, confirm your coverage, any visit limits and whether a referral is needed.
Step three
You get your cost in writing
Before your first visit, we tell you what you will owe, if anything. No surprise bills.
Keep exploring
Find the right care for you.
What we help with
Our dietitians
Questions
Medicare questions.
Does Medicare cover a dietitian?
Yes, for some conditions. Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy with a Registered Dietitian for diabetes, chronic kidney disease (stages 3 to 5, not on dialysis), and within 36 months after a kidney transplant. You need a referral from your doctor.
Does Medicare cover a dietitian for weight loss or prediabetes?
No. Medicare does not cover nutrition visits for weight, prediabetes, high cholesterol or general wellness. You can still see us at our self-pay rates, and we tell you the cost before you book.
How much will I pay with Medicare?
If you qualify, visits are usually $0. We confirm your coverage before your first visit and tell you your cost in writing.
Does my Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan add nutrition coverage?
No. A supplement such as Plan G or Plan N only helps pay costs for services Medicare already covers. If Medicare doesn't cover the visit, the supplement won't either.
What about Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans must cover at least what Original Medicare covers, so diabetes and kidney disease visits are covered with a referral. Some plans offer more. We only count on extra benefits once the plan confirms them in writing.
How many visits does Medicare cover?
Original Medicare covers up to 3 hours of nutrition care in your first year and up to 2 hours each year after that. If your health changes, your doctor can refer you for more.
Not sure if you qualify? We'll find out.
Book a visit and we'll check your Medicare plan before your first appointment, so you know your cost first.
Questions? Call or text 470-731-9176