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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect at our appointments?
I use a client centered therapeutic approach to nutrition counseling.
This means our initial appointments will involve establishing a treatment relationship.
You can expect lots of questions about why you are seeking out care, what goals you hope to achieve and how ready you are to explore new ideas or make changes that feel right for you. Sometimes this involves take home activities, or learning about specific tools and activities in session.
I will also provide you with evidence based nutrition education specific to your health conditions and concerns.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person and what your specific concerns are. Some people may need only a few sessions while others with long standing or chronic conditions may need more care. We will work together on a frequency plan that fits for you.
Do you take my health insurance?
I am currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO only. Even if you have health insurance and a doctors referral your insurance may not cover for nutritional counseling or for your specific diagnosis. It is important that you verify with your insurance that you have these benefits and if any copay or payment toward deductible is required.
You are responsible for verifying these benefits and any payment for copays, deductibles or denied claims.
When calling your insurance ask if you have coverage for nutritional counseling. You can also ask for insurance to verify procedure codes also called CPT codes: 97802 and 97803-these are the specific billing codes used for a nutritional counseling visit. Ask if there are any limitations or exclusions such as only coverage for diabetes or a certain amount of visit limit per year. If you are scheduled for a virtual visit you will also need to ask if the codes provided are covered under telehealth as not all plans will cover this benefit.
I will file your claim and receive payment from the insurance company. I will collect payment toward deductible or copays at the beginning of the appointment and you understand that you are obligated to ensure that fees for visits are paid in full. If insurance denies the claim for any reason you will be responsible for the balance due.
If you have other health insurance plans this means you will need to pay out of pocket for our visit. I will take payment up front for our visits and can provide you with a superbill which you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement as an out of network provider. Coverage for medical nutrition therapy varies so I recommend you contact your insurance company to see if your plan has these benefits.
I really need to lose weight, can you put me on a diet to help me lose weight?
I hear you! Your concern about your weight is valid and real. I want to listen to your story and partner with you on how we can achieve your true goals by focusing on behaviors that support good nutrition and your health. As a Dietitian who practices weight neutral care I do not provide diets or counseling for the specific intention of weight loss. More and more studies show that intentional weight loss can only be maintained in the short term and most people re-gain their weight within 2-5 years, some people ending up at an even higher weight than their starting weight. Diets for intentional weight loss can be linked to harmful health outcomes like disordered eating patterns and yo-yo dieting which can have negative impacts on your physical and emotional health. See more here.
So what conditions do you provide counseling for?
Gut Health
Celiac Disease, Cirrhosis, Constipation, Crohn's Disease, Diarrhea, Dumping Syndrome, Fatty Liver Disease, Food Allergies and Intolerances, Gastroparesis, GERD, Gallstones/Gallbladder Disease, Gas/bloating, Panccreatitis, SIBO and more.
Diabetes
Diabetes Education and Self Management Training for Type 1 and Type 2, Carbohydrate Counting, Using insulin to carb ratios and blood sugar sliding scales, Carbohydrate counting, how to use insulin pens and other injectible diabetes products, how to use blood sugar meters and more.
Eating Disorders
Anorexia, Bulimia, ARFID (extreme picky eating), Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
What's the difference between a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a Nutritionist?
Probably the easiest way to explain this is to say a Registered Dietitian is always a Nutritionist, but a Nutritionist may not always be a Registered Dietitian.
RDs
1. Minimum of bachelors degree from an accredited university with coursework in nutrition and dietetics designed by the national credentialing agency, ACEND.
2. Minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice.
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)-additional 1000 hours of diabetes experience and 2 years practice experience.
Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS)- additional 2500 hours in eating disorder specific care along with additional course work.
3. Passage of national board exams
4. Continuing education hours to maintain registration and certifications.
There are no legal standards or specific requirements for the title Nutritionist.
Conveniently located in the 281/1604 area.
Sonia Rodriguez
MS,RD,LD,CDCES,CEDS
Tel: 210-817-4772
Email:
sonia@colibrinutritiontherapy.com
© 2019 by Sonia Rodriguez
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