It’s your girl, Amy P.—The Reimbursement Dietitian, here to help simplify the wild, wonderful (and sometimes ridiculous) world of insurance reimbursement for dietitians.
Does this sound like YOU?
👉 Overwhelmed by insurance noise?
👉 Unsure where to even start with credentialing?
👉 Low-key terrified of doing it wrong?
If you’re nodding your head right now, don’t worry—you’re in good company. Let’s cut through the chaos and talk strategy.
Start with Your State’s Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
Every state has its own version of Blue Cross Blue Shield, such as BCBS Texas, BCBS Massachusetts, or Anthem BCBS.
And here’s why this should be your first stop:
✅ BCBS plans are often the largest commercial payer in most states.
✅ Many major employers offer BCBS, meaning your dream clients are already covered.
✅ They tend to offer better reimbursement rates and more reliable credentialing systems.
Translation: BCBS can be your bread-and-butter payer.
Pro tip: Some states have multiple BCBS networks (like Highmark, Independence, or Horizon). You may need to apply to more than one to access both local and national plan members.
Cigna: The Reliable Runner-Up
Cigna doesn’t get enough credit—it’s reliable, straightforward, and usually comes with a painless credentialing process.
They’re especially great for employer-based health plans, which often cover a wide range of working professionals seeking nutritional support.
They’re not flashy—but they pay. And that’s exactly the kind of relationship we love.
Pro tip: In certain states (looking at you, California, parts of Texas, and Tennessee), Cigna’s network may be closed. Don’t panic—it just means you’ll have to wait for openings or explore other payers in the meantime.
Aetna: The Underrated Contender
Aetna is a total gem for dietitians—strong MNT coverage, predictable claims processing, and generally not the payer that makes you question your life choices.
Most Aetna plans offer at least 10 nutrition visits under the preventive benefits side, which means more covered sessions for your clients.
They’re particularly strong for dietitians specializing in diabetes, renal disease, or preventive nutrition.
Heads up: Aetna can require a little more paperwork up front, but once you’re in, they’re stable, consistent, and honestly… kind of pleasant to bill.
UnitedHealthcare: The Necessary Evil (But Worth It)
Ah, UnitedHealthcare.
The love-hate relationship is REAL.
They’re huge, which means a lot of your potential clients are covered under their plans. But their credentialing process? Let’s just say it requires patience… and coffee.
Still, it’s worth your time.
UHC gives you access to one of the largest client pools in the country, making it an essential part of your insurance panel lineup.
Bonus: What About Smaller Regional Plans?
Once you’ve locked in the Big Four (BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, and UHC), then you can start exploring smaller or regional payers, like:
- Local HMOs or hospital-affiliated plans
- State employee health plans
- Medicare Advantage products
These can be fantastic add-ons once you’ve built a strong foundation with the major commercial payers.
Feeling Overwhelmed? You Don’t Have to DIY This.
If your brain is melting from all the acronyms EFT, EDI, NPI, CAQH, PECOS—I see you.
This is exactly why I created my Reimbursement Coaching Program.
Inside, you’ll get step-by-step guidance on:
✔️ Credentialing the smart way (no guessing!)
✔️ Billing and EOB decoding
✔️ EFTs, EDIs, and getting paid on time
✔️ Scaling your insurance-based nutrition practice with confidence
👉 Apply here to stop guessing and start getting paid what you deserve.
Amy P.’s Final Thoughts
Getting credentialed isn’t just another admin task; it’s the foundation of your insurance-based nutrition business.
Start with the right payers, tighten up your systems, and soon enough, you’ll be the dietitian who’s:
💥 In-network
💥 In-demand
💥 And finally, getting paid what you’re worth
What’s not to love about this winning combination?