FAQ
What is the difference between a dietitian & nutritionist?
All dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.
A dietitian is a university-qualified allied healthcare professional that provides a range of evidence-based nutrition services, which also included individual dietary counseling, medical nutrition therapy (or disease or condition-specific nutrition), group dietary therapy and food service management - as per the Dietitians Association of Australia. A nutritionist may also be tertiary qualified and can provide evidence-based nutrition services for public health, policy, research and community health. However, not all nutritionists are university-trained and it can be tricky to know what qualifications have been completed, so always check! You can be sure an Accredited Practising Dietitian has completed 4 years of relevant training and undergone supervised practice according to a Code of Conduct.
What does APD stand for?
APD stands for Accredited Practising Dietitian. All Accredited Practising Dietitians have undertaken a minimum of 4 years of university and 20 weeks of supervised placements and are committed to undertaking a minimum of 30 hours of continued professional learning each year to maintain membership to the Dietitians Australia.
How long do consultations go for?
APD stands for Accredited Practising Dietitian. All Accredited Practising Dietitians have undertaken a minimum of 4 years of university and 20 weeks of supervised placements and are committed to undertaking a minimum of 30 hours of continued professional learning each year to maintain membership to the Dietitians Australia.
Do you prescribe supplements?
I do not “prescribe” supplements. I can provide you with recommendations and appropriate dosages if and when they are required, this is on a case-by-case basis. Using my food-first approach, I prioritize foods that can be consumed to get the nutrients you need. However, there are some circumstances which are unavoidable and supplementation is required, please ask for a recommendation in our consult.
What rebates are available for my consultation?
Private: If you have private health insurance, depending on your policy and level of cover, you may be eligible for a rebate on your dietitian appointments. Please check with your insurer directly if you are covered and how much you will get back, as this varies from person to person.
Medicare: You may be eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 5 allied health (including dietitian) appointments per calendar year under a Chronic Disease Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement Plan. These plans can only be generated by your GP and you must meet certain criteria for you to be eligible. Speak to your GP about this scheme and whether it is right for you.
Once you complete your payment, I initiate the claim for you and you get the rebate within 24 h.
Do you bulk bill your appointments?
No, I do not bulk bill any of my appointments as I want to provide a high quality, expertised service to you and this is just not feasible under a bulk billing scheme.
Do I need a referral?
NO!
You do not need a referral to access services if you are coming with your private health fund or are willing to pay out-of-pocket. A referral from your GP is necessary if you are looking to claim a Medicare rebate, this needs to be presented at your first appointment to ensure you get your rebates.
Can I see you face-to-face?
At the moment we are operating online only via Zoom. We know from research and through client feedback that virtual or telehealth consultations are just as effective in terms of results and more convenient for clients, say goodbye to travel time, finding a carpark and long drives!
You will receive a confirmation SMS reminder 48 hours prior to your appointment, followed by a zoom link.
Payments are made at the end of the session either online or by direct deposit.
What is your cancellation policy?
Providing less than 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment will incur a $60 cancellation fee, which cannot be claimed through Medicare or your private health fund. This also applies to non-attendance to appointments. This is to allow others who also need an appointment timely access to my services.