Yes, in California you need a referral from a qualified healthcare provider to receive nutritional counseling from a registered dietitian. This is required by state law to ensure coordinated care between your healthcare providers.

Who Can Provide a Referral? 

Any licensed healthcare provider who can prescribe dietary treatments can provide your referral. This typically includes:

• Medical doctors (MDs)
• Nurse practitioners (NPs)
• Physician assistants (PAs)
• Osteopathic doctors (DOs)

What Should the Referral Include? 

Your healthcare provider needs to provide:

• A written prescription with their signature
• Your medical diagnosis
• Either specific diet instructions or the goals for your dietary treatment

Once we receive your referral, we can provide comprehensive nutrition services including:

• Nutritional counseling
• Dietary assessments
• Personalized nutrition recommendations
• Therapeutic diet planning

Getting Started

1. Ask your healthcare provider to fax your referral to 866-475-7480.
2. Once you have your referral, contact our office to schedule your appointment
3. Bring your referral to your first appointment, or have your provider’s office send it to us directly

Insurance Coverage Many insurance plans, including Medicare, require this referral for coverage. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about their specific coverage requirements for nutrition services.

Yes, you still need a referral to see a registered dietitian in California, even if your insurance company says you don’t need one. Here’s why:

Insurance companies operate nationwide and provide general coverage information that may not reflect specific state requirements. While your insurance might not require a referral for coverage purposes, California state law requires all patients to have a referral from a qualified healthcare provider to receive nutritional counseling from a registered dietitian.

This is a legal requirement in California that exists independent of insurance rules. The referral must include:

• A written prescription with your provider’s signature
• Your medical diagnosis
• Treatment goals or specific diet instructions

The best next step is to contact your healthcare provider to request a nutrition referral, even though your insurance doesn’t require it. This way, you’ll meet both California’s legal requirements and ensure you can begin your nutrition care properly.