Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What happens in a discovery call?
A:
It's the beginning of us getting to know each other. It typically takes about 15-20 minutes. We send you a link to our virtual space (or we can connect by telephone).
We discuss practice policies, the virtual space, pricing, payment, scheduling, our approach and a brief sense of what a treatment plan or relationship could look like.
Then, you have a chance to tell us what brings you and ask any questions you may have.
Q:
Does anything happen before our first session?
A:
We will send you paperwork via an electronic medical record that will allow you to sign electronically. Possible paperwork includes: consent forms, nutrition intake forms, and release of information.
There will also be a place to input your insurance information and your credit card. Please know, we would never charge your card without consent from you.
Q:
What can I expect from an initial appointment?
A:
During our 60-75 minutes together, we will spend time getting to know you. We want to understand your experience so that we can co-create new and sustainable ways to nourish yourself free of guilt, full of confidence. Which means we may ask a lot of questions in the first few times together.
Of course, you will have lots of opportunity to ask the urgent questions you have.
And as always, this looks different depending on what you need. We will do our best to understand what that is.
Q:
How often will I see you?
A:
Again, it just depends! Nutrition is anything but black and white.
Care that involves healing takes time. So those coming to see us to heal their relationship with food and body can expect that the process can mean seeing your Nutrition Therapist for many weeks, months, or years. (Lucky us!)
Others who are tuning up new and old skills while living with diabetes or another chronic condition may just need a few appointments.
Either way, we can help lay out expectations of our work together in the first few sessions.
Q:
I have health insurance and would like to use it. Does it cover outpatient nutrition counseling?
A:
Great question! In Washington State most plans cover outpatient nutrition counseling, at least to some degree. If your insurance is based out of state, it will just depend.
The insurance world is crazy confusing, but together we can figure out your coverage and make the best decisions about your care plan.
A helpful Insurance Script is available for you to use when calling your insurance company. We can also help navigate this for you when we connect.
We will help make every effort to utilize the coverage you have!
Q:
Will you help bill my insurance company?
A:
Absolutely! Depending on your insurance company we can do the leg work for you. We are in-network with Premera, Regence, Blue Cross Blue Shield (non-medicare), LifeWise, Global, Heritage Signature, and Individual Signature.
If you have one of these plans Numena can call, check benefits, submit the claim, etc on your behalf.
You would just be responsible for any copay or amount towards your deductible at the time of the visit.
Q:
What if you are not in-network with my insurance? Can I still see you? Will you still help bill insurance?
A:
Of course, you can still work with us. It just takes more conversation with you, your insurance company, and what you can pay out-of-pocket.
We can still help bill and communicate with your insurance provider but not to the same degree as if we were in-network. Often, this means you figure out your coverage (with help from us), and we give you a superbill that you submit to your insurance company.
In this case, you would pay out-of-pocket during the visit and attempt reimbursement afterwards.
Q
Is there a copay if I use insurance?
A:
Often times no, but this just depends your plan.
Q:
I want to pay out-of-pocket. How does that work?
A:
Awesome! The best thing to do (likely) would be to buy a package. Our electronic health record has a secure Stripe© feature and we will charge your credit or debit card after our visit.
We also take Venmo© payments.
Q
Is a registered dietitian the same as a certified nutritionist?
A:
A registered dietitian (or registered dietitian nutritionist - RDN) is a nutritionist but a nutritionist isn't necessarily a registered dietitian. Registered Dietitians have 4-year bachelor degrees (often a master's degree too), have completed an accredited internship program, and have passed a board certified test. We also have to have 75 hours of continuing education units every 5-years.
Certifications for being a Nutritionist aren't as extensive and often certifications can be completed online.