Nutrition Counseling Fees and Functional Lab Costs
Family Nutrition Solutions provides clear self-pay pricing for personalized nutrition counseling, ongoing support, and functional lab testing.
Insurance may cover eligible nutrition counseling appointments. Functional lab tests are paid separately and are never billed through insurance by Family Nutrition Solutions.
Clear Pricing for Personalized Nutrition Care
Nutrition care should be personalized, but the cost should not be a mystery. Family Nutrition Solutions offers individual self-pay appointments and reduced per-visit pricing through structured care plans. Functional lab testing is also available when the results are likely to provide useful information and guide your care.
Before you move forward, your dietitian will explain:
- The recommended service
- Why it may be helpful
- What is included
- What is not included
- The anticipated cost
- Whether an additional appointment is required
- Whether insurance may cover the related nutrition appointment
The quality of your care is the same whether you use insurance or pay out of pocket.
Self-Pay Nutrition Counseling Fees
You can work with Family Nutrition Solutions even if you do not have insurance
or your policy does not include nutrition counseling benefits.
| Nutrition Service | Fee | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial comprehensive nutrition assessment | $300 | A thorough review of your symptoms, health history, eating patterns, routines, concerns, and goals |
| Individual follow-up appointment | $150 | Continued education, accountability, recommendations, and adjustments to your plan |
| Six-follow-up structured care plan | $750 | Six follow-up appointments at $125 per visit |
| Twelve-follow-up structured care plan | $1,200 | Twelve follow-up appointments at $100 per visit |
Structured care plan appointments must be used within 12 months of purchase.
Choosing the Right Nutrition Counseling Option
| Option | Best For | Cost Per Follow-Up | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual follow-up | Patients who want flexibility or occasional support | $150 | One appointment at a time |
| Six-follow-up care plan | Patients who need consistent support while working toward defined goals | $125 | Six follow-ups within 12 months |
| Twelve-follow-up care plan | Patients managing longer-term or more complex nutrition concerns | $100 | Twelve follow-ups within 12 months |
Your dietitian can help you decide whether individual appointments or a structured care plan better fits your needs.
You are not required to purchase a care plan to receive nutrition counseling. However, some functional testing protocols may require a structured care plan so you have the support needed to implement recommendations, assess progress, and adjust your plan.
Your First Appointment Looks at the Whole Picture
Your first appointment is more than a review of what you eat.
During the initial comprehensive nutrition assessment, your dietitian takes time to understand:
- Your primary concerns
- Current symptoms
- Medical and family history
- Previous diets or nutrition programs
- Eating patterns
- Food preferences
- Work and family routines
- Sleep
- Stress
- Hydration
- Movement and exercise
- Digestive health
- Available lab results
- Your relationship with food
- The outcomes you want to achieve
Together, we use this information to identify priorities and create realistic recommendations that fit your body, schedule, preferences, and daily life.
Follow-Up Appointments Turn Information Into Progress
Nutrition concerns are rarely solved with one appointment, one handout, or one meal plan.
Follow-up appointments give you time to:
- Review progress
- Ask questions
- Discuss challenges
- Adjust recommendations
- Build practical skills
- Identify symptom patterns
- Receive accountability
- Work through food anxiety or uncertainty
- Review new lab information
- Create a plan for the next phase of care
The number and frequency of appointments will depend on your symptoms, goals, progress, and recommended plan of care.
Insurance and Self-Pay Care Provide the Same Quality of Support
The way you pay does not change the quality, depth, or personalization of your care. Every Family Nutrition Solutions patient receives the same thoughtful evaluation, individualized recommendations, education, and support.
| Insurance-Based Care | Self-Pay Care |
|---|---|
| You receive the same personalized nutrition care provided to every patient | You receive the same personalized nutrition care provided to every patient |
| Coverage depends on your individual policy | Fees are established by Family Nutrition Solutions |
| A complimentary benefits check is completed after you schedule and submit your intake forms | Insurance verification is not required |
| Copays, deductibles, coinsurance, diagnosis requirements, or visit limits may apply | Payment is made directly to Family Nutrition Solutions |
| Claims are submitted to your insurance company | No insurance claim is required |
| Your insurance company determines the final patient responsibility | You know the published appointment fee |
| Some services may not be covered | You may schedule individual visits or purchase a structured care plan |
Functional Lab Testing Costs
Functional lab testing may be recommended when the results are likely to help your dietitian better understand persistent symptoms, nutritional patterns, or areas that require deeper investigation. Testing is not automatically recommended for every patient.
Your dietitian will first consider:
- Your health history
- Current symptoms
- Previous testing
- Eating patterns
- Medications and supplements
- Lifestyle factors
- Changes you have already made
- Whether the results are likely to change your care plan
Current Functional Lab Fee Guide
| Functional Test | Current Fee | What It May Help Evaluate |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis | $195 | Mineral patterns, nutrient balance, stress-response patterns, and possible heavy-metal exposure |
| GI-MAP | $525 | Gastrointestinal microorganisms, digestive function, inflammation, and other gut-health markers |
| MRT Food Sensitivity Test | $595 | Immune and inflammatory responses to tested foods and food chemicals |
| Blood chemistry panels | Approximately $100–$200 | Selected markers related to thyroid function, sex hormones, insulin resistance, blood sugar, and other concerns |
The availability, price, and contents of each test may change. Your provider will confirm the current cost before a test is ordered.
Functional Lab Testing Comparison
| Test | Sample Type | Information Evaluated | Often Considered For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis | Hair sample | Mineral patterns, nutrient balance, and possible heavy-metal exposure | Mineral concerns, stress patterns, fatigue, and nutritional imbalances |
| GI-MAP | Stool sample | Gastrointestinal microorganisms and digestive-health markers | Persistent bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or complex digestive symptoms |
| MRT Food Sensitivity Test | Blood sample | Immune and inflammatory responses to tested foods and food chemicals | Symptoms that may be connected to food-triggered inflammation |
| Blood chemistry panels | Blood sample | Selected metabolic, thyroid, hormone, blood-sugar, and nutritional markers | Targeted investigation based on symptoms and health history |
Functional testing does not replace diagnosis, treatment, or medical care from a physician. Your dietitian may recommend that you consult your primary care provider or another licensed healthcare professional based on your symptoms or results.
Functional Lab Tests Are Never Billed Through Insurance by FNS
Family Nutrition Solutions is not able to submit functional lab charges to insurance companies. Functional lab tests are always paid out of pocket and are separate from nutrition appointment fees. Nutrition appointments connected to selecting a test, reviewing the results, or providing ongoing follow-up support may be covered under your Medical Nutrition Therapy or preventive benefits, depending on your policy. You may also be able to use an HSA or FSA card for eligible functional lab expenses.
Lab Fees and Appointment Fees Are Separate
Patients must complete an initial comprehensive nutrition assessment before functional testing is ordered.
Depending on the test and your needs, your dietitian may also recommend a follow-up appointment before ordering.
This allows your dietitian to determine whether the test:
- Is appropriate for your symptoms
- Is likely to provide useful information
- Duplicates testing you have already completed
- Will change the recommended care plan
- Should be coordinated with your physician
Once the results are available, you will schedule a follow-up appointment to:
- Review the findings
- Understand what the results may mean
- Identify the most important priorities
- Discuss nutrition and lifestyle recommendations
- Develop an individualized plan
- Determine whether supplements or additional medical care should be considered
Most patients also need ongoing follow-up support to implement the recommendations, assess progress, and make changes to their care plan. Some functional tests may require the purchase of a structured care plan. The initial assessment, lab-review appointment, and ongoing follow-ups are not included in the laboratory fee.
Estimated Total Cost of Functional Testing
The total cost of functional testing may include more than the laboratory fee.
| Potential Expense | Current Fee or Range | When It May Be Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Initial comprehensive nutrition assessment | $300 before insurance | Required before functional testing is ordered |
| Functional lab test | Varies by test | Based on the test recommended for your needs |
| Follow-up appointment to review results | $150 before insurance | Used to explain the results and develop your plan |
| Ongoing follow-up support | $150 per individual visit or included in a structured care plan | Often needed to implement recommendations, assess progress, and adjust your care plan; some tests require a structured care plan |
| Supplements | Varies and is optional | Recommended only when appropriate |
| Additional testing | Varies | Recommended only when appropriate |
Insurance may cover the initial assessment, lab-review appointment, or ongoing nutrition follow-ups depending on your benefits. Functional lab costs and supplements are paid separately.
Functional Testing Should Lead to a Clear Plan
A lab result is not the plan.
Your dietitian combines the test results with your symptoms, medical history, eating patterns, medications, existing lab work, and daily routines.
Recommendations may include:
- Meal timing
- Food variety
- Hydration
- Digestive support
- Movement
- Sleep
- Stress support
- Targeted supplements
- Coordination with your physician
- Additional testing when appropriate
Ongoing appointments allow your dietitian to evaluate how you respond, track your progress, and adjust your recommendations when needed.
The goal is to help you understand what to do next and support you through the process, not leave you with a report you have to interpret and implement alone.
HSA and FSA Payment Options
Family Nutrition Solutions accepts HSA and FSA cards for eligible expenses.
These may include:
- Self-pay nutrition counseling appointments
- Functional lab testing
- Other qualifying nutrition-related expenses
Eligibility depends on your individual plan. Contact your HSA or FSA administrator if you are uncertain whether a specific expense qualifies.
Out-of-Network Reimbursement
Patients who pay for eligible nutrition counseling services may request a superbill. A superbill is a detailed receipt containing service, diagnosis, provider, and billing information. You may submit it to an out-of-network insurance plan for possible reimbursement.
Your insurance company determines:
- Whether the service qualifies
- Whether out-of-network benefits apply
- How much may be reimbursed
- Whether your deductible must be met first
- What documentation is required
Family Nutrition Solutions cannot guarantee reimbursement. Functional lab charges are not included on a superbill for insurance reimbursement because Family Nutrition Solutions does not bill those tests through insurance.
Supplements and Other Optional Costs
Your dietitian may recommend supplements or additional testing when they may support your goals.
Supplements are not automatically required because you are working with Family Nutrition Solutions.
Tell your dietitian if you:
- Prefer food-first recommendations
- Do not want to take supplements
- Have difficulty swallowing pills
- Have a limited budget
- Are concerned about interactions
- Are already taking several medications or supplements
- Want help prioritizing recommendations
Your provider can explain why a supplement is being recommended, discuss alternatives, and help you decide what is most important.
Payment and Fee Policies
- Self-pay appointment fees are generally collected at the end of the appointment.
- Structured care plans are purchased according to the payment process provided by Family Nutrition Solutions.
- Care plan appointments must be used within 12 months.
- Family Nutrition Solutions does not currently offer sliding-scale pricing.
- Patients are responsible for balances not paid by insurance.
- Functional lab fees are paid separately from appointment fees.
- Functional lab tests are never billed through insurance by Family Nutrition Solutions.
- HSA and FSA cards are accepted for eligible expenses.
- Current lab pricing will be confirmed before a test is ordered.
- Testing, supplements, and additional services will be discussed before they are purchased.
- Some functional testing protocols may require a structured care plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nutrition Counseling Fees
How much does the first nutrition appointment cost?
The self-pay fee for an initial comprehensive nutrition assessment is $300. Insurance may cover some or all of the appointment depending on your individual policy.
How much does a follow-up nutrition appointment cost?
A single self-pay follow-up appointment is $150.
Does Family Nutrition Solutions offer nutrition counseling packages?
Yes. A six-follow-up structured care plan is $750, which equals $125 per appointment. A twelve-follow-up plan is $1,200, which equals $100 per appointment. Care plan appointments must be used within 12 months.
Do I have to purchase a structured care plan?
You may schedule individual self-pay follow-up appointments for general nutrition counseling. Some functional testing protocols require a structured care plan because patients need ongoing support to implement recommendations, assess progress, and make appropriate changes to their care plans. Your provider will explain the anticipated level of support before you purchase testing or a care plan.
Will I receive different care if I pay out of pocket?
No. The quality, depth, and personalization of your care are the same whether you use insurance or pay out of pocket.
Are structured care plans covered by insurance?
Insurance is generally billed by individual appointment rather than as a prepaid package. Family Nutrition Solutions will explain the available payment options before you purchase a structured care plan.
When is payment collected?
Self-pay appointment fees are generally collected at the end of the appointment. Payment requirements for care plans and functional lab testing will be explained before purchase.
Does Family Nutrition Solutions offer sliding-scale pricing?
Family Nutrition Solutions does not currently offer sliding-scale pricing.
Can I use an HSA or FSA card?
Yes. Family Nutrition Solutions accepts HSA and FSA cards for eligible expenses. Contact your plan administrator to confirm whether a specific appointment, functional lab, or other purchase qualifies.
Does insurance cover functional lab testing?
Family Nutrition Solutions never bills functional lab tests through insurance because we are not able to submit those laboratory charges to insurance companies. Functional lab tests are paid out of pocket. Nutrition appointments associated with selecting a test, reviewing the results, or providing ongoing follow-up support may be covered depending on your insurance benefits.
Is the appointment to review my results included in the lab price?
No. The functional lab fee and nutrition appointment fees are separate. Patients will need a follow-up appointment to review the results and create an individualized plan. Most patients will also need ongoing follow-up support to implement the plan, assess progress, and make adjustments.
Do I need an appointment before ordering a functional lab test?
Yes. We will always complete, at minimum, an initial comprehensive nutrition assessment before ordering functional testing. We will often also complete a follow-up appointment before ordering the test. This gives your dietitian time to review your symptoms, health history, previous lab work, medications, current nutrition plan, and progress. It also helps confirm that the recommended test is the best fit for your needs and is likely to provide information that will guide your care.
Can I order a test without becoming an ongoing patient?
Functional testing is most effective when it is part of ongoing nutrition care rather than a stand-alone service. Most patients need continued support to implement the recommendations, assess how their symptoms respond, measure progress, and make appropriate changes to their care plans. Some functional tests require the purchase of a structured care plan. Ongoing care also helps address problems thoroughly so patients are less likely to return later with the same unresolved concerns. Your dietitian will explain the recommended testing process and anticipated follow-up care before the test is ordered.
Are supplements included in the lab fee?
No. Supplements are separate and are not required for every patient. Your dietitian will explain any recommendations and can discuss food-first or lower-cost alternatives when appropriate.
Are there costs beyond the listed functional lab fee?
Yes, there may be additional costs. These may include an initial assessment, a lab-review appointment, ongoing follow-ups, a required structured care plan, optional supplements, or additional testing. Your provider will explain the anticipated expenses before you move forward.
Can I receive a superbill?
Family Nutrition Solutions may provide a superbill for eligible self-pay nutrition counseling services. You can submit it to an out-of-network insurance plan for possible reimbursement. A superbill does not guarantee reimbursement. Functional lab charges are not submitted through insurance by Family Nutrition Solutions.
How do I know which functional lab test I need?
You do not need to choose a test yourself. Your dietitian will review your symptoms, health history, previous lab work, medications, and goals before recommending testing.
Will functional testing tell me exactly which foods to eat?
Functional testing may provide useful information, but it is only one part of your nutrition plan. Your dietitian will interpret the results in light of your symptoms, routines, medical history, and individual needs.
Understand the Cost Before You Begin
You should know what is recommended, why it may help, and what it will cost before you move forward. Whether you plan to use insurance, pay for individual visits, purchase a structured care plan, or explore functional testing, Family Nutrition Solutions will explain the next step and the anticipated expenses. Schedule an appointment and complete your intake forms. Our team will review your information, help match you with the right dietitian, and explain what to expect before your first visit.