Rates & Insurance

Your insurance policy may cover your visits!

Most health insurance companies cover nutritional counseling. Many policies cover this as a preventive service without a medical diagnosis, while some have medical nutrition benefits that require a diagnosis. Jennifer Melanson Nutrition is a participating provider with:

  • United Healthcare/ Oxford
  • Amerihealth
  • Cigna

 

Rates

I accept all major credit cards as well as Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Payment is due at time of service unless billing to insurance. A debit/credit card is required to schedule and hold an appointment, but you will not be charged until the time of service.


Nutrition Counseling Services

Initial Assessment and Consultation (55 min)

$145

Follow up Consultation (55 min)

$125

Meal Plans *

Meal plans cannot be billed to insurance and can only be purchased as an add-on to a consultation. They include menu, recipes and grocery list, and can be customized based on number of people in household. 

7 day personalized meal plan

$80

14 day personalized meal plan

$95

* While I believe the ultimate outcome should be for us to work together to identify strategies for meal planning on your own, in some situations clients find a customized meal plan created for them to be a useful tool in getting started on their path to optimal health.

Verifying Your Insurance Benefits

If you plan to use insurance, you must call your insurance company to verify your benefits before your appointmentWhile I am in network with the companies noted above, each insurance policy is unique, which is why it is important to verify nutrition counseling benefits PRIOR to your appointment. If insurance declines to cover your visit(s) for any reason, you are responsible for the full amount billed.

Note: I currently do not accept Medicare or Medicaid plans.

To verify your benefits, call your insurance company and ask:

  • Is nutrition counseling covered on my insurance plan?
    • The procedure codes used are 97802 for initial appointments and 97803 for follow up appointments
  • Are there restrictions regarding which diagnoses are covered? Does my plan cover either z71.3 or z72.4 (dietary counseling and surveillance) or is a medical diagnosis required?
    • Your plan may cover preventative care using the code z71.3 (dietary counseling and surveillance) OR your plan may require a medical diagnosis.
    • If a medical diagnosis is required for coverage, have your doctor fax recent visit notes and your diagnosis to me at 855-615-2920.
  • Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
  • How many visits are allowed per calendar year?
  • Have I met my deductible? If not, is the deductible waived for preventive nutrition therapy?
    • If you have not met your deductible and it is not waived for preventative care, you will be charged the standard fee noted above, which will apply to your insurance deductible.
  • Do I have a co-pay or co-insurance for nutrition counseling?
    • For most insurance companies I am considered a specialist. Therefore, your specialist co-pay would be applicable. I generally wait for the claim to be processed and then charge the credit card you have on file the co-pay amount. 
  • Is nutrition counseling covered when provided via telehealth?
  • Is Jennifer Melanson Nutrition (NPI 1245820976) covered under my plan? If not, what are my out-of network nutrition benefits?
  • Write down the date and reference number for your call.

Out of Network Reimbursement

If you have out of network coverage for nutrition counseling with another insurance provider, I can provide you with an itemized invoice (“Superbill”) so that you can seek reimbursement from your insurance company. If you are unsure about your coverage, call your insurance company and asking if they cover the following CPT codes out of network: 97802 (initial nutrition appointment) and 97803 (follow-up nutrition appointment). If you have a diagnosis from your physician, you may need to provide your medical diagnosis code (ICD-10 code). 

Questions?

If you have additional questions, please visit the FAQ or schedule a complimentary 15 min phone call.