Private Practice - Preparation

Preparing to build your own Medical Nutrition Therapy private practice may seem a daunting task but if you break it down into smaller steps you can certainly do it. Remember to focus on your goal and everything will fall into its proper place. 

There are many resources available to guide you in planning. Janet King’s book, “Nutrition Entrepreneur” is a useful guide to getting started. It details the scope and principles of starting your own nutrition business. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) website, www.eatright.org, has useful links to many resources on private practice, the Nutrition Care Process and evidence-based guidelines. The Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG is also an excellent resource. Its mentoring program helps you build confidence as you learn from seasoned private practice professionals.

One of the best resources for me when I was preparing for my private practice was the ADA conference on MNT for Medicare. At this conference, I learned the policies, procedures and requirements for reimbursement by Medicare. I also learned how to manage MNT patient records.

In MNT private practice, dietitians are required to keep confidential records, document how the Nutrition Care Process is implemented, collect data from clients about their health status and lifestyle habits, collect and analyze clinical data, report results, create invoices and process insurance claims. MV Nutrition Professional Suite provides tools to help in carrying out these tasks effectively and efficiently. This program was designed by dietitians for dietitians.

Resources