UnitedHealthcare (UHC) covers nutrition counseling for several medical conditions, and many UHC members in Texas can see a registered dietitian at little or no cost. Here is what your UHC plan likely covers and how to confirm your specific benefits.

What UnitedHealthcare Covers for Nutrition Counseling

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)

UHC covers Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) provided by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) for:

• Diabetes and prediabetes — Covered under most UHC plans, often as a preventive benefit
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) — Covered for non-dialysis CKD under most plans
• Obesity — Covered as a preventive benefit under ACA-compliant UHC plans (BMI ≥ 30)
• Cardiovascular disease — Covered under many UHC plans

Preventive Nutrition Counseling

Under ACA-compliant UHC plans, preventive nutrition counseling for obesity is covered at no cost-sharing — no copay, no deductible required.

How Many Visits Does UHC Cover?

Most UHC plans follow Medicare MNT guidelines:

• First year: Up to 3 hours of MNT
• Subsequent years: Up to 2 hours per year
• Additional visits may be approved with physician documentation of medical necessity

UHC plan benefits vary significantly depending on whether you have an employer-sponsored plan, a marketplace plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan. Always verify your specific benefits.

UHC Medicare Advantage Plans

If you have a UHC Medicare Advantage plan, your nutrition counseling benefits may be even more generous than traditional Medicare. Many UHC Medicare Advantage plans include additional preventive benefits, including expanded nutrition counseling.

Do You Need a Referral with UHC?

UHC PPO plans typically do not require a referral to see a dietitian. UHC HMO plans usually require a referral from your primary care physician. Check your plan documents or call member services to confirm.

How to Verify Your UHC Benefits

1. Call the member services number on the back of your UHC card
2. Ask: "Is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) covered under my plan?"
3. Ask: "Is Rawaa Khalil Elabbassi, RDN, LD in-network?"
4. Ask: "How many nutrition counseling visits are covered per year?"
5. Ask: "Do I need a referral?"

You can also log in to myuhc.com and search for "nutrition counseling" or "dietitian" under covered benefits.

We verify your benefits for you. We contact UHC directly before your first appointment to confirm your coverage. No surprises.

Is Sugarland Dietitian In-Network with UHC?

Yes. Rawaa Khalil Elabbassi, MS, RDN, LD is an in-network provider for UnitedHealthcare in Texas. Seeing an in-network provider means your visits are covered at the lower in-network rate.

Conditions We Treat with UHC Coverage

With UHC coverage, you can receive nutrition counseling for:

• Diabetes and prediabetes — A1C reduction, blood sugar management, carbohydrate counting
• Kidney disease (CKD) — renal diet, lab-based nutrition adjustments, potassium and phosphorus management
• Weight management — sustainable weight loss, metabolic health, body composition
• Heart health — cholesterol, blood pressure, cardiovascular nutrition
• Women's health and PCOS — hormonal nutrition, insulin resistance
• GI and digestive health — IBS, IBD, GERD, food intolerances

Ready to Use Your UHC Benefit?

Book a free 15-minute discovery call. We will verify your UnitedHealthcare coverage and confirm your benefits before your first appointment.

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Rawaa Khalil Elabbassi, MS, RDN, LD practices at 2245 Texas Dr Ste 300, Sugar Land, TX 77479. She is an in-network provider for UnitedHealthcare in Texas. Call (346) 715-7763.