A nutrition diagnosis is a formal, standardized way for an RDN to communicate a nutrition-related issue. A nutrition diagnosis is NOT a medical diagnosis. A complete nutrition diagnosis is written as a PES statement using nutrition diagnostic terminology. The nutrition diagnose is then addressed in the intervention step of the Nutrition Care Process.
Nutrition Diagnosis: Definition & Examples Read More »
The Nutrition Care Process provides dietitians a framework for providing nutritional services. There are four main steps being the assessment, diagnosis, intervention and monitoring and evaluation. While this is a standardized approach, the nutrition care provided to the patient is still individualized.
Nutrition Care Process Steps Read More »
Medicare covers medical nutrition therapy (MNT) provided by a dietitian for patients that have diabetes, non-dialysis kidney disease or have had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months. There is a limit to the number of visits and a referral is required. Additional hours of MNT are covered if medically necessary.
Dietitian Services: Medicare Nutrition Therapy Coverage Read More »
Dietetic practice groups (DPGs) are special-interest groups for registered dietitians that are add-ons to Academy membership. All the different DPGs have various offerings, including electronic mailing lists and discussion boards, newsletters, live and recorded webinars, continuing education units (CEUs), speaker bureaus, mentorship programs, symposiums, virtual events, awards, grants and scholarships.
Dietetic Practice Groups: Membership Benefits & Cost Read More »
While nutrition is only a piece of the health and wellness space, it is still a broad industry. While it may seem counterintuitive to decrease the size of your potential client pool, niching down can be a very successful business tactic and has many potential benefits in terms of both marketing strategy and job satisfaction.
101 Nutrition Niche Ideas Read More »
Dietitians cannot diagnose eating disorders as making medical diagnoses is outside their scope of practice. However, they are part of the healthcare team providing treatment for people with eating disorders. Per the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, dietitians are to be included in all phases of eating disorder recovery.
Can Dietitians Diagnose Eating Disorders? Read More »
Dietitians cannot prescribe medications, including diet pills and injections. However, working with a dietitian, alongside taking weight loss medications, is generally recommended. Per the American Nutrition of Dietetics, nutrition care by a dietitian is a “vital part of the comprehensive obesity management,” whether weight loss medications are used or not.
Can a Dietitian Prescribe Weight Loss Medication? Read More »
In most countries, dietitians cannot prescribe medication. However, there are some situations in which dietitians can start or adjust medications based on specific protocols and procedures. In the US, dietitians can “initiate, implement and adjust” medication orders that are “protocol- or physician-order-driven” per the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Can Dietitians Prescribe Medications? Read More »
Some CPTⓇ and HCPCS codes are billed based on the amount of time spent with the patient. When these timed, also known as time-based, codes are reported on the billing claim, the number of minutes is rounded to the nearest 15-minute increment using the 8-minute rule.
8-Minute Rule: Determining the Number of Billable Units Read More »
Coding modifiers add extra information about the procedure provided, without changing the inherent description of the procedure code. While there are dozens upon dozens of medical modifiers, dietitians do not need to be familiar with all of them. Modifiers dietitians should be familiar with include the ABN modifiers, telehealth modifiers and modifier 33.
Modifiers for Medical Billing – What Dietitians Need to Know Read More »
