Building a Better Case: Negotiation Tactics to Expand MNT Access

Student Member Price: $10.00

Building a successful business case for coverage and payment of evidence-based, RDN-provided medical nutrition therapy (MNT) with insurance companies and employers only makes sense when they are bearing the costly burden of diet-related chronic disease. In addition, diet-related chronic conditions are contributing to severe COVID-19 outcomes. With neither MNT benefits nor a designation of RDNs as credentialed, preferred in-network providers, a prescription for medical nutrition therapy by physicians goes unfilled or unwritten. In this session you will hear how perseverance and collaboration led to the largest insurance provider in the state of Alabama agreeing to create a Registered Dietitian Provider Network in January 2020. Using lessons learned and step-by-step actions taken for successful negotiations with BCBS of Alabama, you will be able to formulate a plan to reduce gaps in patient access to MNT, and build the case for the integrating the RDN into ambulatory care.

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 12.1.4 Influences legislation, regulation, and policy changes to impact nutrition and well-being in the community
• 12.2.2 Identifies and reviews evidence-based literature to create programs and to justify needs and actions.
• 3.3.5 Advocates for financial support and insurance coverage for patients / clients to ensure access to nutrition services.

Learning Objectives

• Identify gaps and barriers in patient access to medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and diabetes self-management education (DSME) in their state or region.
• Describe the advantages of tracking outcomes in demonstrating efficacy and value of the RDN in the provision of MNT services.
• Develop a business action plan to negotiate with health insurance companies the provision of MNT benefits in healthcare plans by credentialed in-network RDNs.

Speakers

• Amie Hardin
• Susan Scott
• Laura Watson