Effective January 1, 2022, Congress enacted a “No Surprises Act” to protect consumers that are self pay (out of pocket) from receiving surprise healthcare bills.
If you have private insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, etc.) or Medicare or Medicaid; this act does not apply to you. For clients who want to use their medical insurance to cover the cost of a session, claims will be filed for companies with which the dietitian is in network (BCBS, UHC, Medicare). When possible, coverage will be verified. Please note that not all insurance plans or policies cover nutrition services provided by a registered dietitian. Certain requirements must be met in some cases depending on your insurance company or plan. You are encouraged to contact your insurance company to verify benefits prior to your appointment. If it is likely that your insurance plan will not cover a service, you will be informed in advance.
No Surprises Act for Self Paying Clients
If you plan to pay out of pocket for healthcare services, this Act applies to you. The “No Surprises Act” is intended to protect you against surprise medical bills. Surprise medical bills may occur when insured consumers inadvertently receive care from “out-of-network hospitals, doctors, or other providers they did not choose”. Surprise medical bills may arise in an emergency when the patient has no ability to select the emergency room, treating physicians, or ambulance providers. Surprise bills may also arise when a patient receives planned care. For example, a patient could go to an in-network facility (e.g., a hospital), but later find out that a provider treating him/her (e.g., an anesthesiologist or radiologist) does not participate in his/her health plan’s network. The patient then will receive a “surprise bill” after the fact. To protect you, Congress created this Act. You are entitled to a “good faith estimate” of the cost of care. To read more about the “No Surprises Act”, go to https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/Ending-Surprise-Medical-Bills.
My No Surprise Guarantee
- To avoid any surprise costs associated with nutrition services, my fees are listed below, and on the Schedule Now page, and on the booking page.
- You will schedule your own appointments either online or with me prior to each session and know the fee in advance.
- If supplements or labs are recommended, you will know upfront the cost for each before ordering.
- You always have the right to choose, and my goal is to be transparent with all costs associated with your care.
- There are no hidden fees and no obligation to buy recommended supplements or products. This will not affect your nutrition assessment or plan of care.
- You will see fees listed for each service prior to scheduling an appointment or signing up for any packages or programs.
- The number of follow up sessions needed will vary based on your needs. You always have the right to choose your plan for care.
- If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Fees for Dietitian Services:
- Initial Nutrition Consultation (60 minutes): $140
- Follow up Nutrition appointment (30 minutes): $62
- Packages and Programs vary and will be listed next to each package or program
- Fees as of January 1, 2023
Official Notice: Your Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges Under the No Surprises Act
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your care will cost. Under the law, health care providers must provide uninsured patients or patients who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for services or medical items provided. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call Health and Human Services at (617) 573 -1600.