Office Policy
Scheduling
Your appointments with Leslie will be educational, enjoyable and confidential. Appointments may be scheduled or cancelled via phone by calling (317) 443-5059 or via email by emailing [email protected]. Patients who do not reschedule or cancel appointments with 24 hours advanced notice or do not show up for their scheduled appointment will be charged a $25.00 fee. The office will make reasonable attempts to confirm appointments one day in advance of the appointment date.
It remains the patient’s responsibility to keep or reschedule appointments in compliance with the above policy. Exceptions will be made for medical or family emergencies.
Payment
Payment options include the following: Insurance, Cash, Check, or Credit card. With the exception of insurance, payment is due at the time of service. Outstanding balances will result in interruption in nutrition counseling until all bills are paid.
Returned checks are subject to a $25 fee.
Insurance
Some insurance plans cover nutrition counseling while others will only reimburse for certain diagnoses or not at all. At the current time Leslie is a provider for Blue Cross and Blue Shield Insurance, United Healthcare and it’s subsidiaries, plans under Multiplan, and Medicare.
Referrals
MD referrals are welcome but not required unless your insurance plan requires a doctor referral for nutrition counseling/medical nutrition therapy. In instances where a referral is required, please contact your doctor’s office directly. Physician offices may fax referrals to Leslie’s private and secure fax at (317) 747-7471. All medical information will remain confidential.
Informed Consent for Medical Nutrition Therapy
At the time of service, patients not referred by a physician will be asked to sign this form if they are paying for services using insurance or if they want their nutrition counseling information released to other health care providers or family members. Those who have been referred by a physician do not need to fill out this form since they have already agreed to have the doctor and dietitian coordinate their care. In all cases, patients private information will not be released to anyone, except their doctor, unless informed consent has been given.
Appointments
Each client is unique and the number of visits dependent upon the services agreed upon. In some instances, such as when a client desires a pre-race nutrition plan for sports nutrition services, only one visit is required; while in other cases, such as weight loss or diabetes management, a minimum of three sessions are recommended with monthly visits thereafter. Reasons for follow-up visits include additional assistance needed to make progress towards nutrition goals, additional nutrition education, and assistance with behavior modification…to name a few. During each counseling session the need for additional sessions will be determined based on collaboration with the client and a thorough evaluation of progress towards goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn How it Works!
What happens during nutrition counseling sessions?
During the initial 60-90 minute consultation you will receive an in-depth nutrition and lifestyle analysis.
This will include a review of:
- Personal goals and desired outcomes from nutrition counseling
- Personal and family health history
- Lab evaluations (please bring current lab work if you have it)
- Food intake and exercise routine
- Review of supplements and medications you take
- Readiness to make changes
From the nutrition and lifestyle analysis I will discuss the best way to achieve your personal goals. From this a personalized plan will be created that provides you with the tools and information you need to begin your journey.
In order to achieve your goals, follow up is necessary. Lifestyle change does not happen overnight. During 45-60 minute follow up sessions, I will monitor your progress, reassess your goals and tailor your plan to suit your lifestyle.
What will I receive during counseling that I can take home with me?
- Meal plans and healthy snack ideas
- Tips for eating out
- Recommendations to manage any health conditions or concerns
- Education on specific nutrients you may be lacking or that are essential for your well-being
- Understanding portion control
- Tools for dealing with emotional eating
- Sports nutrition plans
- Recipes
How many sessions will I need?
Do you accept insurance?
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- United Healthcare and it’s subsidiaries
- Plans handled by Multiplan
- Medicare
In order to make the insurance process as easy as possible, please call to verify your nutrition counseling benefits prior to your appointment by calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card. Procedure code 97802 is utilized for nutrition counseling and many policies cover nutrition counseling under the preventative benefits under the Affordable Care Act. If you cannot get a clear answer on your benefits please let me know and I will try and help.
For those whose insurance plans cover out-of-network medical nutrition therapy services, our office can file a claim with the appropriate medical nutrition therapy procedure codes to see if services will be paid for. In most cases out of network counseling sessions are reimbursed at a lesser rate or fall under the patients deductible. All costs not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the patient. If paying out of pocket, telehealth is an option.