Getting your nutrition goals on track shouldn't come with financial surprises. If you're planning to use health insurance for our sessions, I highly recommend doing a quick "coverage check" before we get started.

While many plans are surprisingly generous with medical nutrition therapy, every policy has its own quirks. Some are unlimited, while others might require a specific diagnosis or a referral from your doctor.

The "Fine Print" (Just so we're on the same page): If your insurance ends up declining a claim for any reason, you’ll be responsible for the cost of the session. Verifying things now helps you stay in the loop on potential copays, deductibles, or session limits.

How to check your coverage:

When you call your insurance provider, they’ll likely ask for these CPT (Procedure) Codes:

• 97802 – Our first session (initial evaluation)

• 97803 – Our follow-up sessions

To make things even easier, here are a few questions to ask over the phone:

• Does my plan cover CPT codes 97802 and 97803?"

• Do I need a specific medical diagnosis to qualify for coverage? If so, what diagnosis’ are covered?

• Do I need a referral or prior authorization?

• Is there a limit on the number of sessions allowed per year?

• Do I have a copay or a deductible I need to meet first?

• What is my deductible status?

• Is Callie Exas (NPI 1427549195) in-network for me?

• Does my plan allow for "out-of-state" benefits?