43. Growth Strategies for Insurance-Based Practice: With Amy Plano, MS, RDN

March 5, 2024

The stigma surrounding accepting insurance in private practice is so interesting to me. The idea that you cannot be super successful in private practice unless you are self-paying and selling high-ticket programs is simply not true.

You absolutely can have a thriving insurance-based practice and our guest today is here to prove it.

Amy Plano is an expert at reimbursement for registered dietitians. Her mission is to help dietitians simplify the process of accepting insurance in their practices. She teaches dietitians exactly how to make money using a health insurance-based payment model.

Amy demystifies the insurance process and shows you the steps necessary to leverage accepting health insurance in your private nutrition practice and making the money YOU deserve as an RD.

If you are skeptical about exactly how you can make money solely relying on insurance, let Amy be your proof. Her practice is almost exclusively insurance-based and easily generates a multi-six-figure salary.

We’ll cover:

Insurance-Based Practice Business Basics
Benefits of accepting insurance
Reimbursement 101 – what are the stages [from credentialing to collecting]
Hybrid Practice – is it possible to accept insurance and offer self-pay?

In this Episode:

[03:29] Amy shares whom she serves, and how she serves them.

[11:05] Is it possible to maintain a six-figure income while running an insurance-based practice?

[17:18] Why should dieticians contemplate accepting insurance and what value does it bring?

[21:33] “Even though that patient is not paying out of their pocket, they are still your ideal customer avatar.” – Amy

[26:08] Our success relies on soft skills such as interpersonal abilities and treating others with the kindness we desire.

[31:55] Amy’s advice for a registered dietitian contemplating the inclusion of insurance.

[37:04] Can a dietitian start this process if they are working part-time in a clinical setting?

[40:26] There’s a pressing need for dietitians in long-term care and hospitals.

[43:20] The concept of a hybrid model in private practice and the acceptance of insurance with limited coverage.

[49:58] The most effective way to support your patients’ health goals involves meaningful interactions beyond insurance payments.

[55:56] It’s crucial for individuals considering memberships to recognize that it demands significant effort and dedication.

[01:00:21] It’s important to note that if you’re credentialed with insurance, you are obligated to assist individuals, and referring them out is an option.

[01:04:18] Your Content Cure for This Week

Your Content Cure for this week is a list of resources from our guest, Amy Plano, MS, RDN. Resources include a free webinar, an email series about making passive income, and a link to her valuable private Facebook group.

> DOWNLOAD YOUR RESOURCES HERE<<

About Amy Plano, MS, RDN

Amy L. Plano is a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed in the state of Connecticut (CDN). Amy holds a Certification in both Adult and Pediatric Weight Management through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Amy is employed at Yale-New Haven Hospital as a Clinical Dietitian. Amy also works in private practice and for the CT-Birth-3 Pediatric Nutrition Program. She serves as adjunct faculty at the University of New Haven and Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Amy employs a total lifestyle modification approach to nutrition counseling and exercise. Areas of focus include weight loss, diabetes management, gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic syndrome, and eating disorder recovery. Amy is an active member of the Academy of Sports Medicine, the Connecticut Dietetic Association as well as the Weight Management Dietetics Practice Group.