For most private insurance plans, you can see a dietitian without a referral—especially if you’re seeing one for preventive care or chronic condition management.
But there are exceptions.
Whether you need a referral depends on:
Your insurance provider (e.g., Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UHC)
Your specific plan type (PPO, HMO, EPO, etc.)
Whether your visit is preventive or tied to a medical condition
Let’s look at the major players and what they typically require 👇
| Insurance Provider | Referral Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | Often No | Most PPO and EPO plans allow direct access. Some HMO plans may require a referral. |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) | Varies by state & plan | Many states allow direct access, but certain HMO plans require a referral from your PCP. |
| Cigna | Often No | Most Cigna plans cover nutrition without a referral, especially for preventive care. |
| UnitedHealthcare | Sometimes | Some plans require referrals, particularly HMOs or when tied to complex medical needs. |
| Medicare | Yes | A referral from your primary care provider is required for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). |
💡 Pro tip: Even when a referral isn’t required, having one can sometimes increase the number of sessions covered or help you qualify under a diagnosis.
🚨 Disclaimer: Your plan specific benefits can vary by state and the best and most accurate way to determine coverage is for you to contact your carrier.
Many insurance plans cover dietitian visits if you have:
Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes
Obesity or a BMI over 30
High cholesterol or blood pressure
PCOS
Heart disease
GI disorders (like IBS, IBD, or reflux)
Pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome
Under the Affordable Care Act, some preventive nutrition counseling is also covered—no diagnosis or referral required.
Even if you don’t have a diagnosis, your plan may still cover nutrition counseling for preventive care.
✅ You don’t need to “prove” you’re sick.
✅ You can get covered sessions just to build better habits.
✅ Many plans still don’t require a referral in these cases.
We get it—the insurance maze is confusing. That’s why we make it easy:
You fill out a quick eligibility form
We check your insurance coverage and referral requirements
We handle the paperwork
You get matched with a dietitian (no stress, no surprises)
Whether you have coverage with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UHC, or something else—we’ll walk you through the entire process.
👉 Check Your Insurance Eligibility in 60 Seconds
Q: Can I pay out-of-pocket if I don’t have coverage or don’t want to deal with referrals?
Yes! We offer flexible, affordable out-of-pocket pricing—no referral needed.
Q: If I get a referral, how do I send it in?
We’ll guide you through it. Many PCPs can fax it directly to our team.
Q: What if my plan requires a referral but I already had an appointment?
We may still be able to retroactively apply coverage with the right documentation. Ask us ASAP.
A referral may or may not be required—but either way, you can take the first step today.
Nutrition counseling is one of the most underutilized (and most covered) benefits in healthcare. Whether you’re managing a condition or just ready to feel better, a registered dietitian can help.
Click here to check your insurance coverage »
We’ll tell you if you need a referral—and how to get one if you do.