Question 1

What do dietitians do?

Accepted Answer

Dietitians use their expertise in food, nutrition and lifestyle to improve your health and wellbeing. Dietitians are allowed to prescribe medical nutrition therapy for conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, eating disorders, heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders. Dietitians work in a diverse range of settings including; clinics, hospitals, food service, food industry and public health. 
At Maitri Health we pride ourselves on individualised care, book in for a free 15-minute discovery call to see how we can help.

Question 2

What’s the difference between a nutritionist and dietitian?

Accepted Answer

While the definition of a dietitian and nutritionist are similar, there are differences in qualifications and regulations. All dietitians are nutritionists however, not all nutritionists are dietitians.

Dietitians are regulated health professionals who have completed a university degree in dietetics and are accredited by Dietitians Australia. It is the highest form of credentialing. Accredited Practicing Dietitians (APD) use their knowledge of food and nutrition to promote health, prevent, manage and treat disease. They are allowed to prescribe medical nutrition therapy for medical conditions such as PCOS, cancer, eating disorders, heart disease, and food allergies.

Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), NDIS and many private health insurers recognise the APD credential.

A person who calls themselves a nutritionist may have qualifications in human nutrition or may have no nutrition qualifications at all. As a profession, nutritionists aren’t regulated and can have limited qualifications.

Question 3

Do you accept DVA referrals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, DVA Health Cards (Gold & White) are accepted as payment upon a GP referral. All DVA clients are bulk billed.

Question 4

Can I get a rebate on services from either Medicare or Private Health Insurance?​

Accepted Answer

Medicare: Your Primary Care Provider (GP) may have referred you under an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC). An Amount of $58 will be covered by Medicare for each appointment under your plan, with the remaining being an out-of-pocket fee paid by you (known as the gap).

E.g. $130 initial appointment ($58 paid by Medicare) and the remaining $72 to be paid by you.

Private Health Funds: If you have Private Health Insurance, some or all of your appointments may be covered by your Private Health Fund. The extent of your cover will depend on your specific level of care. It is important to check with your Private Health Fund to find out the exact rebate amounts you can claim.

Question 5

Do you accept Eating Disorder Plans (EDP)

Accepted Answer

Yes, your EDP will entitle you to 20 rebated sessions (per year) with an Accredited Practicing Dietitian through the Australian Medicare Benefit Scheme. You’ll receive a rebate of $58 on each of the 20 consultations, available from the date your EDP commences.

Book a discovery call with one of our credentialed eating disorder clinicians (CEDC) today.

Question 6

Do you accept NDIS referrals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we only accept self-managed or plan-managed NDIS.

Question 7

How do I apply for NDIS funding?

Accepted Answer

In your NDIS plan, dietetics services can be claimed under the following groups:
Improved health and wellbeing
Improved daily living
Assistance with daily life
These categories can be funded under the capacity building and core support budgets.

Question 8

How can a NDIS dietitian help?

Accepted Answer

Our dietitians can offer in-clinic, virtual or at home visits with a focus on supporting people living with intellectual disability, neurological conditions and mental health issues. We provide support for:
Assistance with fussy eating or picky eating
Assistance with disordered eating or eating disorders
Education and guidance with managing feeding regimens for nasogastric (NG) tubes and percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (PEG).
Healthy eating and education for both carer and consumer

Frequently Asked Questions