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McLaren Central Michigan > SERVICES > Nutritional Education Services

Nutritional Education Services



Have you been thinking about changing your diet? Has your doctor told you that you need to change your eating habits? If you need help improving your dietary habits, let the Registered Dietitians at McLaren Central Michigan help you make the changes you have been thinking about to improve your health.
 

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is your most credible source of nutrition information. A RD is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including:
  • a bachelor degree with coursework approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education;
  • completed an accredited, supervised internship at a health-care facility;
  • passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; and
  • completed continuing education requirements to maintain registration.

A Registered Dietitian is your nutrition expert, and will assist you in improving your eating habits, tailoring them towards your lifestyle, medical condition and food preferences.
 

Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is designed to empower you to take control of your health by learning to eat a healthful diet. The RD will assist in setting personal goals and creating a plan to improve the quality of your life. This is accomplished by looking at your food choices, activity level and lifestyle. Dietitians have specialized knowledge in nutrition and disease management. Some areas of expertise include:
  • heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides)
  • weight management,
  • pre-diabetes, 
  • Celiac disease and other food allergies and intolerances, 
  • gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease, and
  • pregnancy and lactation.

Typically, the initial session lasts an hour and consists of a complete nutrition assessment and identifying your personal goals. Follow-up appointments are available from 15 minutes to 60 minutes per session depending on your needs.
 

It is recommended that you first see your primary care provider who will then send the RD a Medical Nutrition Therapy referral. The MNT referral gives the RD the medical information needed to plan an appropriate and individualized counseling session.  A referral from your primary care provider is required for insurance reimbursement.
For a physician scheduling a patient, call Central Scheduling at (989) 772-6878.
 

Medicare covers outpatient MNT services provided by registered dietitians for beneficiaries with diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency/end-stage renal disease (non-dialysis renal disease) or post kidney transplant.

Many private insurance companies cover medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services for a variety of conditions and diseases, and individuals are encouraged to call their insurance company to find out about coverage specific to their plan. 
For more information, please call the dietitian’s office at (989) 772-6781.