Does Insurance Cover a Dietitian? What Seattle Employees Should Know
A common thing I hear from women who reach out to me is, "I wish I could do this, but I’m not sure I can afford it."
Sometimes that's true. But just as often, they simply haven't checked their insurance benefits.
If you work for a larger employer in the Seattle area, there's a good chance your health insurance includes coverage to work with a Dietitian and receive nutrition therapy. Every plan is different, but I've had the privilege of working with employees from companies across Seattle who were surprised to learn that their visits were covered or only required a small copay.
It's always worth checking before assuming getting help is out of reach.
Which Seattle employers offer nutrition benefits?
There's no simple yes-or-no answer because benefits depend on your specific insurance plan, not just where you work.
That said, many people employed by companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, Nordstrom, Expedia, Boeing, the University of Washington, Swedish, Providence, and Seattle Children's have health plans that include nutrition therapy benefits.
The easiest way to know what's available to you is to verify your own plan.
Is nutrition therapy with a Registered Dietitian only covered if I have diabetes?
No. Many insurance plans cover nutrition therapy for a variety of medical conditions, including eating disorders, disordered eating, PCOS, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, prediabetes, and other health concerns.
Even if you're unsure whether your reason for seeking support would qualify, it's worth asking. Insurance policies vary more than many people realize.
What if I don't have an eating disorder?
Many of the women I work with don't.
Some feel completely consumed by thoughts about food. Others have spent years dieting and are exhausted. Some feel like they're constantly "starting over" every Monday. Others simply want food to take up less space in their lives.
You don't have to wait until things feel severe to deserve support and you do not need to have an eating disorder diagnosis to do this work.
How do I check my benefits?
You can call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask whether your plan includes outpatient nutrition therapy with a registered dietitian that is out of network.
It can also be helpful to ask:
Do I need a referral?
Is there a copay or coinsurance?
Have I met my deductible?
Is there a limit to the number of visits?
If you decide to work with Bravespace Nutrition, we're also happy to help you understand your benefits and answer questions about the process.
One last thought
I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with women who spent months convincing themselves they couldn't afford help, only to discover later that their insurance covered their appointments.
I know navigating insurance isn't exactly anyone's idea of fun, but if you've been thinking about getting support with food or body image, don't let uncertainty be the reason you never reach out.
It might take a ten-minute phone call to learn that help is more accessible than you thought.
Wondering whether we'd be a good fit?
If you're looking for compassionate, evidence-based nutrition therapy for eating disorders, disordered eating, or body image concerns, I'd love to help. You can learn more about my approach, take a look at FAQs, or schedule an appointment here.
About the Author
Hi, I'm Katherine Metzelaar, a registered dietitian and nutrition therapist based in Seattle and the founder of Bravespace Nutrition. I specialize in helping women heal from eating disorders, chronic dieting, and body image struggles through compassionate, evidence-based nutrition therapy.
I believe healing isn't about finding the "perfect" way to eat. It's about creating a life where food and your body no longer take up so much mental space.