How To Connect to a
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
(RDN)
Presented By:
Michelle J. Stewart, MPH, RDLD/N, CDE
There are several ways to connect to a
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
But Who are
and What is
a Registered
Dietitian
Nutritionist ?
There are several ways
to connect to a
Registered Dietitian
Nutritionist
1st Let’s review the
difference between a
Nutritionist and a
Dietitian
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Licensure in Florida – It's the Law
• Since 1988 – www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-andregulation/dietetic-nutrition/index.html​
• Separate process from national certification​
• Protected scope of practice in the State of Florida​
• Bi-annual renewal process​
• Continuing education is mandatory​
• Public protection – qualified practitioners & unlicensed activity​
• Nutrition Counselors – grandfathered into licensure at inception
What is the difference between licensed and registered dietitians?
Licensed Dietitians​:
• Bachelor’s degree with a major course of study in human nutrition, food
and nutrition, dietetics, or food management​
• 900 hours of pre-professional planned and continuous supervised
practice in dietetics or nutrition​
• Board examination issued by Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)​
​
Registered Dietitians​:
• All above plus​
 Graduate from an Accredited program​
 Complete an internship from an Accredited program
Registered Dietitians Nutritionist are experts who have academic
and professional requirements including:
• Earns a bachelor's degree with course work approved by the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' the Accreditation Council
for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
• Studies extensively includes food and nutrition sciences,
foodservice systems management, business, economics,
computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology,
microbiology and chemistry.
Registered Dietitians Nutritionist are experts who have academic
and professional requirements including:
• Completes an accredited, supervised practice program at
a health care facility, community agency or foodservice
corporation.
• Passed a national examination administered by the
Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Completes continuing professional educational
requirements to maintain registration.
Common RDN
Additional Certifications:
- Diabetes Education
- Nutrition Support
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Oncology
- Renal
All Others
RDN's
Approximately
50% of RDNs
hold advanced
degrees.
Many RDNs also
hold additional
certifications in
specialized areas
of practice.
Dietitian's with Advanced Degrees
What an RDN Can Do For You?
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
•
•
•
•
The highest level of Nutrition Counseling
Personally tailored advice
Support and help managing chronic diseases
Guidance navigating the following



Food Allergies
Sensitivities
Intolerances
• A Weight Loss Program that really works
Diet Plans
 Healthy Eating Habits
 Meal Preparation
 Grocery Shopping Alternatives

What an RDN Can Do For You?
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING KEY ROLE
•
•
•
•
Counseling and guidance on good nutrition
Healthy eating habits
Support and help managing chronic diseases
Supports in a variety of environments:
 Hospitals, HMO's or other health-care facilities
 Food, restaurant & food service organizations
 Sports Nutrition
 Outpatient care centers
 Physicians offices
 Home Health Services
 Corporation, Business, & Group Services
Based on the U.S Department of Labor
What an RDN Can Do For You?
SPECIALIZED SERVICES
• Specific and special diet recommendations
• Chronic health conditions
High blood pressure
 Heart and kidney disease
 Diabetes or high cholesterol
Geriatrics - Elderly

•
• Pediatrics - Infants, Toddlers, Children, & Adolescents
• Integrative Nutrition - Alternative functional nutrition that
takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit)
• Specialized recipe development



Low fat, low cholesterol, low salt
Low carbohydrate
Allergen & chemical free
http://www.eatright.org/find-an-expert
Founded in 1917​
The Academy has over 75,000 members
How To
Connect
to a
Registered
Dietitian
Nutritionist
How To Connect to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
1st
2nd
How To Connect to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
SELECT AN
EXPERT FROM
THE LIST
How To Connect to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
http://www.eatrightflorida.org/
Click Here
Medicare
• Medical Nutrition Therapy improves patient outcomes thru Medicare outpatient
MNT provided by registered dietitians
• Medical Nutrition Therapy include therapeutic and counseling services for the
purpose of disease management.
• Suggested steps to ensure eligibility to receive MNT
1. Medicare requires a physician order for patients to see an RD for MNT. When making a referral be sure to:
• Include the diagnosis and diagnosis code(s) for diabetes or non-dialysis kidney disease.
• Send recent lab data and medications with the referral form.
• Document the medical necessity for MNT in the patient's medical chart.
2. Encourage your patients or have your nurse make an appointment with an RD at your hospital out-patient
clinic, physician clinic or the registered dietitian's private practice office.
3. When additional hours of MNT are needed for your patient, another referral and medical record
documentation are needed.
Private Insurance
• Determine whether a referral is necessary or appropriate, RD will assist
• Factors that impact private insurance





Insurance payer policies
Direct vs. non-direct reimbursement
State licensure laws
Type of facility policies
Type of service being provided by the RD.
• There are instances in which private sector payers do not require a doctor referral

Patients/clients qualify for the service based on their existing health condition
 diabetes
 Obesity
• Currently, only a handful of the 46 state laws that regulate dietitians or nutritionists
through licensure, statutory certification or registration explicitly require a referral or
physician order.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH AN RDN
• Provide you with food and nutrition information
based on fact or need to know how a healthy
diet improves health and fight diseases
…. Improve your health and well-being
…. Increase self-satisfaction through decreased
hospitalizations and reduced drug use.
You should only rely on a qualified professional in this field.
How To Connect to a Registered
Dietitian Nutritionist
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
TODAY
Michelle J. Stewart, MPH, RDLD/N, CDE