Many insurance companies cover, sometimes completely, visits to registered dietitians as preventive services.
Registered dietitian and Wilmington resident Sonia Vieregge Kennedy started her business, Nutrition in Motion, in 2010. Over the years, she has expanded throughout the region and now has eight locations.
Kennedy has a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and hospitality management from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. She has over 25 years of experience in many areas of health care. Her experience includes working as a clinical dietitian in hospitals, teaching at universities and serving as a health educator for a medically based fitness center. She also has experience working to promote work-site wellness.
Kennedy recently answered questions about nutrition counseling as a benefit.
Why do insurance companies cover registered dietitians?
Kennedy: “Insurance companies cover registered dietitians (RDs) because their services lead to improved health outcomes, reduced health care costs and alignment with evidence-based preventative care.”
Why is there a demand for dietitians?
Kennedy: “There is a growing public desire for healthier lifestyles, with many people seeking professional guidance to achieve their wellness goals. In addition, as the population ages, the incidence of nutrition-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension increases, creating a greater need for specialized nutritional counseling to manage these ailments.”
How do dietitians contribute to an employee’s health and how does that benefit an employer?
Kennedy: “Registered dietitians improve employee health by creating tailored dietary strategies based on employees’ health needs, lifestyles and goals. RD-led programs lower health care expenses by preventing chronic disease and reducing medical claims. Proper nutrition enhances focus, energy and work performance.”
How long have you been a dietitian and how have you been able to grow?
Kennedy: “I have been a registered dietitian since 1999 with over 25 years of experience. I have been able to grow by savvy marketing and being in network with all major insurance companies.”
What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to their diet?
Kennedy: “People often adopt extreme diets that eliminate entire food groups, leading to nutrient deficiencies and unsustainable habits. Many skip breakfast or other meals to cut calories, which can lead to overeating later due to excessive hunger.”
Do employers come to you to help them with programs at their companies? If so, how does that work?
Kennedy: “Yes, employers approach registered dietitians like me to design and implement nutrition-focused corporate wellness programs. Each company will have different needs, so I customize nutrition programs tailored to the company’s objectives and employee demographics.”
Do you think insurance companies will continue to cover registered dietitians for the foreseeable future? Why or why not?
Kennedy: “I anticipate that insurance companies will continue to cover services provided by registered dietitians for the foreseeable future. The primary reasons for this continued coverage are the Affordable Care Act mandate for preventative care, the strong evidence of Medical Nutrition Therapy as a cost-effective intervention for chronic diseases and the rigorous, evidence-based training RDs must complete.”
Anything else you want to add on the subject of the benefit of access to a registered dietitian?
Kennedy: “Unlike fad diets or generic wellness apps, RDs focus on sustainable habits through education and coaching. They teach their patients how to make informed choices, read labels and plan meals, fostering lifelong healthy eating patterns.”
Read more on Health + Benefits:
Health Care Benefits in Flux
Dietician’s Focus on ‘Sustainable Habits’
