You Can See a Dietitian for Free (yes, really)
Seeing a dietitian for free sounds too good to be true. But it's actually a reality for many people — they just don't know it.
Health insurance often includes preventative benefits that cover nutrition counseling at no out-of-pocket cost. Whether you're looking to improve your diet, manage a health condition, or simply build a healthier lifestyle, working with a dietitian can be a game-changer.
Michael Hershey, a registered dietitian who runs a thriving insurance-based practice, is on a mission to make nutrition care more accessible. "Many people have no clue they can see a dietitian," he explains. "They think it's only for people with a lot of money." But that's not the case. By taking advantage of preventative care benefits, you can access expert nutrition guidance without breaking the bank.
In fact, 94% of Michael's clients pay $0.
Yes, really, $0.
What kind of care can you get for free?
Michael's clients get everything you might expect from an expensive alternative.
He creates personalized, sustainable plans that align with each individual's unique needs, preferences, and goals. "There's quite literally not a single food that I will tell my clients they cannot eat," he emphasizes. Instead of banning foods, he teaches his clients how to incorporate the things they love in a way that fits their overall health goals.
One of Michael's primary goals is to shift his clients' mindsets away from the idea of "dieting." He explains that the word "diet" often leads to short-term thinking and unrealistic expectations. "The second that someone says it's a diet, you've automatically placed short-term thinking on your approach," he says. Instead, Michael helps his clients focus on building habits they can maintain for life, emphasizing consistency over perfection.
Michael also places a strong emphasis on non-scale victories. While many clients initially approach him with weight loss as their primary goal, he encourages them to also look at other markers of success. "How do they feel physically, mentally, emotionally?" he asks. Improvements in sleep, stress levels, energy, and even how their clothes fit are often more meaningful indicators of progress than the number on the scale.
For many of Michael's clients, working with him isn't just about fat loss — it's about improving overall health and quality of life. He helps clients manage conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood sugar issues, often helping them avoid or reduce their reliance on medications. "When we take an upstream approach and address the root cause being the nutrition and movement first, then I'm providing real solutions for my clients," he explains.
Rather than relying on willpower alone, Michael helps his clients create supportive environments and systems that make healthy choices easier. This includes practical tips like using frozen fruits and vegetables for convenience, choosing pre-made foods that align with their goals, and setting up their home environment to encourage good habits. "The goal is not to just rely on willpower," he says. "It's to set up your systems and your habits to help you be successful."
Ultimately, Michael's work is about empowering his clients to take control of their health. "My job as their dietitian is not to tell them what to eat. My job is to show them how to eat," he says. His emphasis on education, flexibility, and sustainability ensures that his clients leave with the tools and knowledge they need to maintain their progress long after their time with him ends. "If I have done my job well, my clients don't need me anymore, and that is actually the goal."
Michael's commitment to accessible care
Michael's passion for nutrition goes beyond helping individual clients — he's on a mission to make dietitian care a standard part of healthcare for everyone. He acknowledges that today, many people either don't know that dietitians exist or assume they're only for the wealthy. Michael wants to change that perception and ensure that more people can benefit from expert nutrition guidance.
By working within the insurance system, Michael has created a practice that removes financial barriers for his clients. "Doctors now have a dietitian to refer to, and their patients can see me for free," he explains. This seamless connection between physicians and dietitians improves access to preventative care, helping patients address root causes like poor nutrition before they lead to more serious health issues.
Michael also sees his work as part of a larger effort to elevate the field of nutrition. He believes that dietitians should play a bigger role in everyday healthcare, just like primary care doctors or specialists. "I want to help raise the bar in our field and make dietitians more accessible," he shares. By building strong relationships with physicians, attending corporate wellness events, and participating in community health initiatives, he is actively working to increase awareness about the role of dietitians in preventative care.
For Michael, making dietitian care accessible isn't just a professional goal — it's a personal mission. "Health is wealth," he says. "To me, our health is our most valuable asset." By removing financial and logistical barriers, he is helping more people protect that asset.
How can I see a dietitian for free?
The first step is learning about the benefits included in your health insurance plan.
Many insurance plans include preventative care benefits that cover nutrition counseling at no cost to the patient. In fact, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires plans to cover nutrition counseling as a preventive medical service. The specific coverage details, like whether you need a referral and the number of covered sessions, vary by plan.
To get the details about your specific plan, call your insurance carrier and tell them you want to verify your Nutrition Therapy benefits.
It's also important to find a dietitian who is covered by your insurance. Like other medical professionals, you'll also find that some do not take insurance at all. Choosing the right provider can be the difference between free care and additional out-of-pocket costs.
Michael Hershey MS, RDN, LD is a Virtual Nutrition Coach and Licensed Registered Dietitian who helps clients with weight loss, diabetes management, blood pressure management, and more.