Insurance Won't Cover Dietician

[Beth in NC]

Just how important is it that I see a dietician? I would LIKE too, especially since the one who has been recommended will even go with you to the store! I haven't called and tried to say anything yet, to the insurance company...waiting to see if my son's test comes back positive or not. It just seems so stupid not to cover something when it is the DIET that keeps you out of the doctor's office anyway in this case. (is there a head bangin' emoticon?)

Any suggestions or tips on this?

[elonwy]

Unless this one is specifically knowledgeable about Celiac, and I mean really up on the latest info, I wouldn't bother fretting about it. I had a very disappointing experience with the one I was sent to, who was supposed the one in the group who knew the most about gluten free. She didn't give me wrong info, but mostly printed things off web sites and talked about serving sizes. If you're going to have to pay out of pocket, I really wouldn't spend the time. Its very possible she's the bees knees and all that, but you're probably better off trying to find a support group in your area, maybe even a R.O.C.K group. It can be really overwhelming at first, so remember to breathe. It gets easier.

[celiac-mommy]

I have found that local health food stores and even some Whole Foods have nutritionists/dietiticans who work for the store. Here we have New Season's Market and you can make appt's with them and they will take you around the store themselves. They seem to be very knowledgable on Celiac Disease and some even have classes you can take with a tour of the store. You could always look into something like that, and they're free

[MrsManners]

Ditto Elonwy. I had a similar experience with another dietician dealing with another digestive condition. She printed some stuff off the internet (stuff I could have easily gotten myself) and talked about portions. Even she admitted that unless it was diabetes related, most dieticians aren't that educated about how foods affect medical conditions.

[Beth in NC]

Thanks, I'll keep this in mind.

[debmidge]

We went to a Nutritionist and had to get "special permission" from the insurance company because, yes insurance companies only think that diabetes and obesity are the only reasons a person would want to see a dietian or nutritionist. Well it was a waste of everyone's time and money. She knew only a smidgen about Gluten free. I found more help on this board and other websites.

One thing's for certain: take out a subscription to at least one guten free publication - whether it's the Scott Free Newsletter or magazine Living Without or from the celiac sprue organizations ... you have to remain connected with some formal and knowledgeable source.