Eating right is one of the easiest preventive measures you can take to stay healthy. But if you're not sure what kind of diet is best for you and your family, you may want to reach out to a nutrition specialist to help personalize a healthy food plan.
Nutritionists and registered dieticians (RDs) are both nutrition specialists; however RDs are licensed by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Some RDs call themselves nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are RDs.
Coverage for Three Visits
Your Abbott Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) plan covers three visits with a nutrition specialist each year.
Here's how it works:
- If you choose to see a contracted specialist within the BCBS network, you will only need to pay your copay, if any, at the time of your visit. Contracted specialists can be found using the Provider Finder®.
- If you choose to see a specialist who is not contracted with the BCBS network, you will need to pay out-of-pocket for the visit and file a medical claim form
for reimbursement.
How to Find a Nutrition Specialist
- Ask your physician. Talk with your doctor and ask for a recommendation for a dietician or nutritionist.
- Use the Provider Finder®. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a contracting specialist by using our Provider Finder®. Nutrition specialists can be located under the Nutritionist or Nutrition and Dietetics specialty categories. Note that benefits may be paid at the lower, out-of-network level. Please call customer service toll-free at (800) 671-1210 for details.
- Search the Complimentary Alternative Medicine* (CAM) network. In states where BCBS does not have a contracted network of dieticians or nutritionists, you can find a specialist through the BlueExtrasSM Discount Program CAM network. To search the CAM network:
- Log in to your Blue Access for Members account.
- Click on the BlueExtras Quick Link.
- Select Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) Discount Program.
- Scroll midway down the page and click View a list of participating practitioners to access the online search tool. Nutrition specialists in the CAM network are listed as Diet/Supplement Advisors.
Note: When using a specialist through the BlueExtras CAM network, your medical benefits should be applied before your BlueExtras discount. You may need to pay out-of-pocket for the visit and file a medical claim form
for reimbursement.
If you have any questions about your Nutrition Consultation benefit or any other benefit available under your BCBS Abbott plan, call customer service toll-free at (800) 671-1210.
