Is Nutrition Counselling Covered by Insurance?

April 15, 2019

By Anna Varriano

From time-to-time I get asked if my nutrition counselling services are covered by insurance. The answer is: “It depends”.

I am a member of The Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners (CANNP). This professional organization provides their members with numerous benefits and support services. Over the years that I have been a member, I have seen CANNP working diligently with insurers to get nutrition counselling services covered with great success.

Here is some information regarding insurance coverage for nutrition counselling from CANNP’s website:

We are pleased to announce that Manulife, iA Financial Group, GreenShield Canada, ClaimSecure Inc. and Blue Cross Alberta have done their due diligence and have chosen to recognize the services of NNCPs and RNTs, who remain in good standing with the CANNP. As well, Sunlife now offers some employers a Personal Spending Account within which Nutrition Counseling is covered. Be advised, that in order to consider nutritional claims for reimbursement, the provider must be in good standing with the professional association. CANNP is such a recognized association.

So, if you have extended health care coverage with Manulife, iA Financial Group, GreenShield Canada, ClaimSecure Inc. or Blue Cross Alberta, check with them to find out if your coverage includes the services of a Natural Nutrition – Clinical Practitioner (NNCP) or a Registered Nutritional Therapist (RNT). This should apply if your coverage includes nutrition or nutritional counselling services.

The rest of this blog explains what to do if:

  1. You have extended health insurance coverage that includes nutrition counselling services.
  2. You have extended health insurance coverage, but it doesn’t include nutrition counselling services.
  3. You don’t have any extended health insurance coverage.

1. You have extended health insurance coverage that includes nutrition counselling services.

What are you waiting for? Book a consultation with an NNCP or RNT (like me!) today. To book a consultation with me, call or text me at 613-299-4022 or email me at avarriano@rogers.com

2. You have extended health insurance coverage, but it doesn’t include nutrition counselling services.

Talk to your employer and/or HR Department and/or insurance provider about the benefits of nutrition counselling. The research proves that wellness initiatives lead to healthier employees and a healthier bottom line for business. Click here to download a letter template which you can customize and use to communicate your wishes to have nutrition counselling services included in your plan to your employer/HR department and/or insurance provider.

3. You don’t have any extended health insurance coverage.

The cost of nutrition counselling services typically ranges from $60 to $90. This is extremely affordable compared with most other private health care services, not to mention its value in the role of preventing illnesses and diseases that could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in medications and missed work … a perfect example of the saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” You may be able to claim the expense on your income tax return, so ask for a receipt.

Some personal/individual and small group health care plans are quite affordable. If you would like more information on these plans, I can refer you to a couple of wonderful insurance professionals who will give you a no-strings-attached free consultation on what options might make sense for you, your family, and/or your business. Call or text me at 613-299-4022 if you’d like to be put in touch with one of them.

Take control of what you can.

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