Contact: Chris Hybels
Jenny Converse performs a blood pressure test on instructor Kelly McHugh during a clinical skills course.
“The reason we’ve been so insistent on licensure is because insurance companies won’t cover your services unless you’re a licensed medical professional,” he says. kelly mchugh, a student in the master’s program in nutrition and dietetics. “Licensing means more insurance coverage, and people have access to more care, because they don’t have to pay out of pocket to see a dietitian. If you don’t, it’s expensive. But if you have the opportunity to see a dietitian, we’re now licensed health care providers, so that’s covered, which is great.”
Sarah Koch prepares to take a blood sample during a clinical skills course.
In addition to expanding access, this license prohibits individuals without a master’s degree and registered dietitian (RDN) certification from practicing medical nutrition therapy.
“While there may still be health coaches working with patients, they cannot provide medical nutritional therapy and therefore cannot adjust diets or recommend renal diets for diabetics. Because if you haven’t completed all the internships and certification programs, even if you go through an accredited institution, you won’t know that much about the subject,” McHugh says.
McHugh said the bill couldn’t have been passed at a better time to increase the number of dietitians.
“The field is currently growing and we need 4,000 nutritionists each year to keep up,” McHugh says. “Becoming an RDN requires more education and requires a longer time in school, but licensure recognizes our work, ensures that our services are covered by insurance, and provides a much needed education.” We expect a commensurate wage increase.”
WMU Nutrition and Diet
Dietitians are nutrition professionals who apply the science of food and nutrition to medical, community health, wellness, and food service settings. WMU’s Nutrition and Dietetics program prepares students to become Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists (RDNs) or Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians (DTRs). Both her WMU programs are recognized by the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetic Education (ACEND). For more information about internships and undergraduate programs, please visit the Nutrition and Dietetics website.
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