Frequently asked
Insurance, telehealth, first visits and policies — the things people ask us before they book. If yours isn't here, call us at 240-780-2418 and we'll answer it.
Insurance & cost
We're in-network with Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield PPO and Cigna, and we accept HSA and FSA cards. If your plan isn't one of those, you may still have out-of-network benefits — there's more on how that works on our Insurance & Fees page.
Most plans cover nutrition visits, often at no cost to you. What you actually pay comes down to your specific plan — any copay, coinsurance, or deductible you haven't met yet. If your insurance declines to cover a visit for any reason, you are responsible for the full amount billed, which is why we always recommend checking your benefits first.
If you have Aetna, yes — a doctor's referral is required before your first nutrition visit. For BlueCross BlueShield PPO and Cigna, a referral is typically not required.
That depends on your plan. Cigna covers three nutrition visits per year; if you'd like to keep working together after that, the visits that follow are self-pay. For Aetna and BCBS PPO, ask your insurer how many visits per calendar year your plan allows.
You may still have out-of-network benefits. Once you've checked with your insurer, we can give you a superbill — an itemised receipt with the codes your insurance company needs — and you submit it to them directly for possible reimbursement. For out-of-network patients, payment is due at the time of service.
Yes, we accept HSA and FSA cards. Depending on your administrator, you may need a letter from your doctor confirming that nutrition counseling is medically necessary.
Sessions & telehealth
Most of the plans we accept cover telehealth visits the same way they cover in-person ones. It's worth adding to the list of questions when you call to verify your benefits, so there are no surprises later.
We're based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and we see clients over telehealth as well. Whether we can work together depends on the state you're in when we meet, so just ask — we'll tell you right away.
We spend it getting to know you: your health history, the symptoms you're dealing with, what you eat and how you live, and what you're hoping will change. You'll leave with first steps you can actually start on, built around your life rather than a template.
No — we're registered dietitian nutritionists, not prescribers. We work alongside your doctor and can suggest labs worth discussing with them, but prescriptions and orders stay with your medical team.
Policies
Yes. An active credit or debit card on file is required to schedule appointments, even when your visits are covered by insurance. It's how we handle any copay, coinsurance, or balance your plan leaves to you.
Let us know as early as you can so we can offer the time to someone else. Get in touch at 240-780-2418 or admin@hayatnutritionandwellness.com and we'll confirm the current notice window and get you rebooked.
Chat support is an optional add-on at $125 per month and is not covered by insurance — plans only pay for face-to-face time with your dietitian. It's entirely optional, and plenty of clients never add it.
Still wondering?
We're happy to talk through your plan before you commit to anything.