Using your private health insurance to cover the cost of the services of a dietitian.

Most UK residents are entitled to free healthcare from the NHS, however more and more of us are adding the additional cost of private healthcare insurance to our already stretched outgoings or have this included as a work perk. In the event of anything going wrong you have the peace of mind that you can get the treatment you need in a reasonable length of time.

As with all insurance there are different levels of care and clauses on how much and often you can claim. So it is really important to know these details when purchasing.

The ins and outs of private health insurance

I think private health insurance companies offer wonderful extras to incentivise staying healthy and avoiding ill health. This is all very impressive and I am delighted to see people using these. It is however under the surface when you are looking for advice from a Dietitian that the disappointment occurs.

I wear several hats as a Dietitian. I have the knowledge and tools to prevent ill health, I can also, when required, diagnose and treat ill health in relation to a plethora of nutritional issues or assist in optimising health when part of a long term illness or acute injury.

Patients are referred to me with one or multiple different health issues and with a thorough assessment I know I can treat them with the programmes that I provide. The problem arises in relation to the insurance fee to cover the treatment.

Receiving a thorough assessment

Dietitians do not operate like Doctors in terms of assessment and advice. Doctors on average see a patient for up to 20 minutes and within this time they have assessed the patient, written a summary letter for any further tests/scans or onward referrals and included a review appointment if required. The end.

Dietitians require a full and detailed history of health, diet and lifestyle before they discuss the details as to the illness in relation to dietary changes and then provide verbal nutritional advice for that individual. An initial appointment usually lasts 1 hour. My patients, as with many Dietitians, have their programme written up for them in a detailed multi-page document with additional advice which can include recipes, shopping lists, blood test requirements, supplements to take etc. A write up on average can be 2-3 hours. A review appointment is necessary to ensure the patient has been successful in following the advice, taking supplements and checking blood results. Further verbal and follow-up written advice is then required after the review appointment.

The frustrations with health insurance

So why am I frustrated?! Health insurance companies are all about keeping the patient in tip top health – track your weight, track your steps, reduce your costs……but clearly they haven’t joined up the dots when you need expert nutritional advice.

Payment allowed for individuals attending Dietitians is not reflective of all the background work provided and it creates a shadow of negativity around the patient journey. It is very hard to explain to someone that they are not fully covered for the programme they are most certainly requiring to get better and optimise health longer term and know they need.

I appreciate what some of you may be thinking – why not cut down your information to match the costs offered? Sadly I have tried this and it does not work, the fees just barely cover the first 1 hour appointment, let alone fees for office staff, rental etc.

I have trained and educated myself daily for many hours in addition to the work I do and over the past 22 years I have accumulated the knowledge to fix people from cellular level up. I don’t charge much as my passion is for helping fix others.

This is surely a win-win for the health insurance companies????

It is obvious that the insurance company will still be receiving the yearly insurance fee but the individual, if following the specialist advice correctly, will not require repeat hospital or doctor consults as possibly needed and thus keep profits healthy!

I would even go as far to say a Dietitian can assist in highlighting and preventing further illness that may be lurking for a future episode of health insurance spend. I think they are missing a trick!!

Just saying this guy got it right and this was around 310 BC!!!

If you are interested in seeing a Dietitian and have private health insurance, do check the cover they offer and question why if not enough to pay for a full programme. The more they become aware of this the hope they will see the benefits.

If you are unsure of how to change your eating habits, or need help optimising the foods you eat please do contact us. We would love to help you or your family and friends with any nutrition related queries big or small.

In the meantime do please check out our 121Dietitian Shop

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How can a Dietitian help

• Book a consultation via our Online Portal
• About Gillian Killiner 
• Check out our tailored dietary programmes

Gillian x

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Kristen McBurney 
 
2023-03-21
 
 
  
I cannot recommend Gillian enough. I got in touch after struggling to lose weight due to PCOS and suffering from IBS. Thanks to Gillian, my IBS symptoms have massively reduced, and I have been able to lose a significant amount of weight.  Her warmth makes you feel instantly comfortable and at ease. Gillian’s help and expertise is second to none, and she is always on hand to answer any questions. I am throughly enjoying the plan Gillian created for me and have found it easy to integrate into my everyday life. I am so grateful for the positive impact her plan has had on me.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Hannah Crothers 
 
2023-02-10
 
 
  
Gillian is the greatest. She is compassionate and professional, really helped me to understand my body’s function and how to best support it. Her advice has changed my life.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Jay Rafferty 
 
2023-02-09
 
 
  
I would highly recommend Gillian. Her advice and guidance has been a game changer for me. With so much conflicting and confusing advice on healthy eating, using a professional nutritionalist is a must.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Emma Lavery 
 
2022-12-29
 
 
  
I could not recommend Gillian enough over the last 3 months - she has turned my life around!
I was referred to Gillian by my gastro consultant due to suffering from ibs, gastritis and hormonal issues for nearly 10 years. Gillian was very understanding and approachable throughout my time spent with her. Gillian discussed my health, lifestyle and eating habits thoroughly.  She advised an individualised blood check for underlying issues, educated me on supplements and provided numerous information to help aid my recovery.
The low foodmap programme I have been following is achievable and can be adapted to anyones lifestyle. As I am a vegetarian I thought this process may be difficult however Gillian reassured me that this would be no issue. She supplied personalised shopping lists, recipes and alternative foods to help heal my gut and overall health.
Continual support from Gillian was on hand via email when required.

I seen improvements in my symptoms within only weeks of starting the programme and was overwhelmed by the success due to suffering for years!
I have been spreading the word about Gillian's brilliant work and will continue to do so! Thank you again for all your help!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 mick lorkins 
 
2022-12-18
 
 
  
Strongly recommended.
There are not many professionals that can totally change you life for the better but this one one if you follow the advice given.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Bobby D 
 
2022-09-07
 
 
  
For 30 years I have suffered with IBS D and  have been unable to find the right specific help. I was introduced to 121 Dietician about 6 weeks ago and like all other services out there I was sceptical. First up was a consultation online which was great considering the many issues I was having going to places. Gillian listened very attentively and understood the many problems I was having.

Gillian decided to introduce me to the Low FODMAP diet. Starting out she provided everything (information, shopping lists, recipes etc) to get started. Through the course of the first 6 weeks Gillian was available to answer any questions or concerns.

Following the first 6 weeks I'm very happy to say that all the many problems associated with IBS have gone and I'm starting to live a normal life without any stage fright when out and about.

The next 8 weeks will be the reintroduction stage but based on the knowledge from Gillian in the initial stage I'm very confident that at the end I will have full understanding of all my triggers.

I can't recommend this service enough as most importantly after 30 years of severe symptoms I once again feel healthy and happy. This is a must if you suffer continually from this horrendous condition. I would be confident that this will help anyone who has IBS.

For me this was the best money ever spent and I can't thank Gillian enough for the difference she has made.

Roy Dornan
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Jack Kennedy 
 
2022-09-04
 
 
  
Helped solve stomach issues, had previous been to several people but this was the first dietary intervention that worked
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Laura Campbell 
 
2022-04-29
 
 
  
After over 10 years of eating quite poorly, Gillian has completely changed my approach to food. After a consultation and review of my diet, she provided me with a list of easy and quick recipes that are packed full of nutrition. She takes into consideration your lifestyle as well which I really appreciated too. I now have much more energy and actually enjoy preparing meals now, something I never did before. I honestly cannot recommend her enough. Thankyou! :-)
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Chris Arnold 
 
2022-04-24
 
 
  
The overall experience was a very positive one. Gillian certainly had the expertise and people skills to help evaluate and treat my daughters gut issues. The progress was quite instantaneous and over time has made a huge difference to her everyday life. Thanks to Gillian for her work which came at the end of many doctor consultations. In hindsight Gillian should have been the first port of call.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Amelia Tyler 
 
2022-03-30
 
 
  
Gillian is great and her program was just perfect. All the meals were delicious and I always felt satisfied which made it very easy to follow. I would highly recommend, especially the 121 sports program.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 

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