Questions for Insurance

Before your first appointment, please contact the member services number on the back of your insurance card to verify your nutrition counseling benefits. Insurance coverage varies widely by plan, diagnosis, and provider, so it is important that benefits are confirmed directly with your insurance company.

 

Provider Network Status

Please confirm whether the specific provider you are scheduled with is in-network by checking their NPI, not just their name.

• Danielle Starmer / Danielle Gersmehl, RD, LDN — NPI #1982298683

(Same provider; recent legal name change. Please check under both last names.)

• Katherine Keller, MS, RDN, LD — NPI #1023987955

• Starmer Nutrition, LLC (Group NPI) — #1528864352

Network status must be verified using the individual or group NPI associated with the rendering provider, as names alone may not return accurate results.

 

Coverage for Nutrition Services

Ask whether your plan covers Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and/or Healthy Diet Counseling, as these services may have different coverage rules.

• “Do you cover CPT codes 97802 (initial MNT) and 97803 (follow-up MNT)?”

• “How many visits or hours are covered per year?”

• “Is there a copay, coinsurance, or deductible I am responsible for?”

 

Telehealth Coverage

• “Does my plan cover telehealth visits with a registered dietitian?”

 

Diagnosis Code Coverage

Coverage may depend on the diagnosis used for billing.

• “Do you cover nutrition services billed under ICD-10 code Z71.3 (dietary counseling and surveillance)?”

• “If not, are nutrition services covered under other diagnoses such as diabetes, kidney disease, or gastrointestinal conditions?”

 

Referral Requirements

• “Is a referral from my primary care provider required for nutrition services to be covered?”

 

Important Insurance Disclaimer

Insurance verification does not guarantee payment. Coverage is determined by your specific plan, diagnosis, provider NPI, and how the claim is processed by your insurance company. Patients are ultimately responsible for any charges not covered by insurance.

Taking a few minutes to verify this information can help reduce the risk of unexpected charges and ensure you understand your benefits before your visit.