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Reimbursement Coach for Dietitians

nutrition referrals

The Number One Benefit of Accepting Health Insurance in your Nutrition Private Practice

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Raise your hand if you like free money? 

 

I do! I do! 

 

Would you believe me if I told you that just by accepting health insurance in your nutrition private practice you could literally pay your bills. Skeptical? I might be. But trust me on this one guys.

 

Getting an ‘in’ with insurance companies can be highly profitable 

 

Last week on the blog, we were chatting about the importance of establishing strong mutually beneficial professional relationships with your ideal customer’s healthcare team. If you missed it you can read the article here. 

 

Like I had mentioned, a sizable portion of my patient volume is solely generated from doctor referrals. Can you say, “Hello FREE marketing?” These are doctors who are familiar with my practice and my team and TRUST and VALUE our services enough to send their patient directly our way. 

 

So keeping that in mind can you guess where the next largest source of FREE direct referrals come from? Insurance companies.

 

Accepting health insurance in your nutrition private practice can be an absolute game changer for your practice. I would go out on a limb and say about 90 % of all patients seen by the fabulous dietitians at The Plano Program use insurance for their nutrition visits. And while we do in fact ♥ self-pay clients (ones that pay out of pocket) – the local insurance companies literally pay the bills. 

 

So remember last week I was saying that once doctors recognize the ‘mad skills’ you offer as a Dietitian they will essentially become your biggest cheerleader? Well the same thing can kinda, sorta happen with the health insurance companies you decide to participate with. 

 

Let me explain. 

 

By accepting health insurance in your nutrition private practice you get free advertising 

 

After you are credentialed and contracted with each insurance company you are automatically listed in the company’s online directory. Then when someone goes to search for a dietitian on their plan and in your ‘area’ – your smiling face pops up. Well, maybe not actually your pretty little face – but you get the gist!  

 

Depending on the month, I would say I average about 10 new clients who are sent to my nutrition practice directly from the insurance companies. Some months more! While that may not seem like enough patients to keep the lights on – think again boss. Ten new initial patients averages out to at least $1,500 in reimbursement per month. 

 

accepting health insurance in your nutrition private practice

 

 

But wait for it. It’s coming. Because you know I am a BIG picture type of girl. That equates to about an extra $18,000 per year for just participating as a provider. Not. Too. Shabby. 

 

Now ask me how much money I put towards my ‘marketing’ budget to earn that dough? Nada. Zilch. 

 

 

Getting credentialed – the elephant in the room

 

And now can I address the elephant in the room – the one thing many of you are thinking about but feel awkward asking because you don’t want to sound like a weenie? 

 

Isn’t getting credentialed with the insurance companies painfully hard? 

 

The short answer is “no.” But trust me girl, I completely understand how the credentialing process may seem like a mystery for many dietitians. But believe me when I tell you it’s not. 

 

Like seriously rock star RD you have been through much harder things ♥

 

Completing your dietetic internship. Hard. 

 

Passing your board certification exam for your speciality. Hard. 

 

Going to Trader Joes and not buying every single new item. Hard.  Well maybe not as hard as # 1 and # 2 but challenging to say the least.  

 

accepting health insurance in your nutrition private practice

 

However, trust me when I tell you I totally get it. The whole process of getting credentialed with insurance companies can be a real killjoy. 

 

The Reimbursement Dietitian can help

 

But it doesn’t have to be. I offer fu Group Reimbursement Coaching programs that walk you through EVERY single step from pre-credentialing to showing you the step-step process of submitting a claim. 

 

Want in on this epic group reimbursement coaching program?

 

Click HERE to apply for my Group Reimbursement Coaching Program.

 

Let’s review your goals and see if accepting insurance in your practice might be an awesome fit.

 

How to Secure Nutrition Referrals Like a Boss

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Last week I got hit by a firetruck.

This week I am rocking a side pony.

Curious what I mean? Check out the video below if you would like a good laugh!

Are you feeling bad for this chick yet?

Please don’t.

It’s September and all is good over here at The Reimbursement Dietitian. The weather is finally starting to chill the f*ck out, the semester is off to a seemingly good start and my nutrition private practice is booming. Grateful. Blessed. Happy. Period.

However, I can remember a time in my practice when I used to wonder, “How the hell am I going to get patients?” I knew what I had to offer as a Registered Dietitian was above awesome – but in order to make some mullah, I had to score some patients. Duh! I needed to hustle for some nutrition referrals.

So what did I do?

I turned to the professionals – literally for my nutrition referrals.

I made a list of ALL the wellness professionals with who my target population associated themselves with and established mutually beneficial partnerships. Let me provide you with some examples to get your gears turning.

So, my patient avatar is women with PCOS who want/need to lose weight. Therefore, some of the professionals who these lovely ladies frequent from time to time include:

nutrition referrals

In search of nutrition referrals, I started by reaching out to the various wellness professionals who collectively serve women with PCOS. Initially, I focused on what appeared to be the biggest of the practices on my list. I based this conclusion on the number of providers each practice. I put together small packets with my business cards, rack cards and a quick little note on my letterhead telling them the following:

  • Who I was
  • Where I was located
  • What insurances I accepted
  • Exactly how their patients can get in touch with my practice to schedule an appointment

And most IMPORTANTLY: I told the provider very specifically HOW my services could benefit their patient population.

What Didn’t I do?

I didn’t stalk them (that could have been fun!)

I didn’t send them CBD laced brownies (I wasn’t willing to share)

Nor did I send them any form of Edible Arrangements (I am not THAT dietitian. I would rather bake you a cake than give you mealy fruit)

I simply let them know I was “there” and made them aware of the potentially fabulous relationship we could have. Dreamy in fact!

So, what happened next?

I know you are hanging on the edge of your seats wondering if there is a happy ending. Girlfriend, of course, there is!

While it may not have happened overnight – I gradually became known as The PCOS Dietitian.

And guys guess what?

The doctors (many who had NEVER. EVER. met me) actually started doing my marketing for me. They did so by establishing credibility for me. You see (MOST) patients respect what their health care provider says. If doctor so and so, says you are the BEST and to make an appointment ASAP. You do that often not asking any questions.

And of course, you have to over-deliver those results. But that is the easy part. You are frigging dietitian skilled at your craft. Getting the nutrition referrals – not so easy

Now, nutrition referrals are the bread and butter of my practice. And while many of our patients come from the same referral channels, we also get tons of new patients from docs we never met. Because well, just like us dietitians gossip, so do they. And trust me – it pays to be at the center of their gossip!

So my advice to you – get that referral form ready. You are going to need it.

Hugs & High Fives – Amy

P.S. Don’t have a referral form? Check out The Reimbursement Dietitian – Starter Pack with all the necessary forms, documents, and resources (Over 20 documents!) you NEED to get your practice up and running.

P.P.S. Have patients who are struggling with PCOS and need guidance? My book Treating PCOS with The DASH Diet is available on Amazon for pre-order. Whoot! Whoot!