Nutrition Evaluation

minpinmom · July 25, 2006

My insurance is requiring me to go to a Nutritionist before they will approve me - so I called my insurance to find out who in my area is available - and they tell me that don't cover Nutritionist - for me just to go to my PCM - - - a month ago this would have sounded strange - after dealing with Tricare daily - it seemed perfectly normal :-)

My question is - would you pay out of pocket and go to a Nutritionist or just go to your PCM?

Also, what is evaluated during an evaluation? What did you guys go through?

Tamyrn · July 25, 2006

I'd go to my PCP and take a food diary ( a week or so), you surgeon will probably have a nutritionist on staff so why waste time finding one you will only go to once. Your PCP is going to evaluate your diet...i.e. You need more fruits/veggies in your diet or you don't take in enough protien daily or you don't appear to have a good source of Calcium in you diet do you take a supplement? It's not a big deal and will probably be quiet informative.

I was private pay so I didn't have to jump through any hoops.

Good luck. Tammy

Mvpo8961 · July 25, 2006

I saw an independent RD/nutritionist. Was sent to her as a referral from my PCP. We went over my food history. What I liked to eat what I didn't etc etc etc.

Then we discussed what would be on a 1200 calorie diet. She had plastic food in correct portion size that we talked about. Gave me a list of good, okay but not the best choice, and bad foods.

Made an appointment for a follow-up to see how well I was doing and if I understood everything.

She wrote a report saying that I had good understanding and willing to follow a prescribed eating plan.

This report was sent to the insurance company by the surgeon.

Myra

minpinmom · July 26, 2006

Thanks for responding, that makes me feel better - doesn't seem to difficult. I have been calling Dr.s today for my psych eval - most don't have appts until December - wow am I in the wrong business. Hopefully the Nutritionist wont be so bad.