Peterson Nutrition and Fitness: FAQ
What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian/Medical Nutrition Therapist and Nutritionist?
Will the real expert please stand up? A registered dietitian/medical nutrition therapist is the nutrition authority in the community. She/he plays an important role on the health care team by providing specific food and nutrition expertise.
A registered dietitian minimally meets this criterion: American Dietetic Association approved bachelor’s degree, post-graduate supervised clinical, community, food service and research experience, pass a national exam and maintain at least 75 hours of continuing education every five years.
Registered Dietitian is a legal definition as only those who have passed the exam and maintain their continuing education are considered “registered.”
There is no standard definition for “nutritionist.”
How long are your sessions and how much do you charge?
I offer 50 minute ($100) and 25 minute ($55) counseling sessions for individuals. I do conduct group sessions (couples, friends etc.) that require a longer time period; please call my office for details.
Do you take insurance?
No. Peterson Nutrition and Fitness is a fee for service practice. I will provide a superbill on your request for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Some insurance companies cover nutritional counseling and some do not. I recommend that you call your insurance company and find out what your coverage is for your specific diagnosis. Often times a referral from your doctor will be required. Any reimbursement you receive, should you choose to submit the claim, will go directly to you. I can also provide documentation of payment for flex spending accounts, non custodial parents etc.
Henrico County Employees receive $45 towards each visit through Southern Health Insurance for a total of five visits a year. Call our office at 804-440-3110 for more information.
Medicare does not cover my services. I am not a Medicare provider; therefore clients cannot submit claims to Medicare for services rendered for reimbursement.
Do you take credit/debit cards?
Cash or Check only.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
A 24-hour notice is required for all cancellations. This gives me an opportunity to schedule someone else in your reserved time slot. If you must cancel last minute, it is possible to do the session over the phone. Appointments not cancelled 24 hours in advance, and “no shows” will be billed at the normal rate. Please know that I am committed to helping you meet your wellness goals, and I expect your commitment as well.
May I bring my significant other or children?
Absolutely. Often times individuals prefer bringing someone to support them on their journey. Also, you may bring your children with you and they can quietly play with their toys while we chat.
If your child is the client, together we will decide if it would be best to meet first on their behalf or as a complete unit.
Do you provide personal training?
Peterson Nutrition & Fitness does not have an in house training facility for training regimens and unfortunately most health clubs no longer allow personal trainers that are not affiliated with their club to train clients.
I will design a program and guide you but currently do not offer one on one personal training service.
What do I need to do to schedule an appointment?
You may call our office or email us from the contact page of this site to schedule. There are two forms to fill out and either email or fax into us prior to the appointment or bring with you to the appointment.
I need more information, or would feel better talking with someone live, can I call you?
Of course! You can call me or leave a message with my office manager, Shevaun Roukous. Or feel free to leave a message in my confidential voicemail, and I will return your call at my earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!
