Kidney Nutrition Counseling Appointments
in California
Work 1:1 with an expert Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Renal Nutrition Specialist – typically covered by insurance.
Hi, I’m Lauren
I’m a Registered Dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition with over a decade of experience in kidney nutrition and public health. My approach is all about turning complex nutrition science into practical strategies that fit real life.
I focus on meeting each person where they are—helping them make sustainable changes that support their kidney health without unnecessary restrictions. Whether it’s improving sodium intake, managing potassium without reflexive food bans, or preventing kidney stones through tailored nutrition, my goal is to empower you with knowledge and tools that make sense for your lifestyle.
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How It Works
Ready to get your nutrition on track and work with an expert kidney dietitian? Here’s how to get started.
Step 1: Verify Your Insurance Benefits
If you plan to use insurance to cover your appointment, be sure to call your insurance company and verify your benefits. You are responsible for verifying your insurance benefits and knowing your coverage. A script for verifying your benefits as well as some other insurance information is available here: Does Insurance Pay for Kidney Dietitian?
Step 2: Request a referral
If you have a Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan, you MUST get a referral from a doctor in order to get Medicare to cover your appointments. You can use my referral form here or have your doctor use their own referral form.
If you do not have Medicare and your plan does not require a referral, please log into the patient portal or your PCP and kidney doctor and download copies of your most recent visit notes. These will be needed in order to properly bill your insurance. You may upload these when prompted in my patient portal for a referral.
Step 3: Request your appointment
Once you have verified your benefits and requested a referral (or obtained visit notes), you can request your appointment here.
Step 4: Complete your forms and tasks.
As with any healthcare provider you see, there will be various forms to fill out and tasks to complete to ensure that everything is set for your appointment. Please be sure to complete these prompty to ensure that things are all set for your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Appointments Cost?
If you are using insurance, please be sure to verify your benefits with your insurance company before booking an appointment to ensure that you understand whether there are any co-pays or cost-sharing that are applicable. For many people using insurance, appointments are fully covered.
If you are NOT using insurance, our pricing is as follows: $250 for a 75-minute initial appointment, $200 for a 60-minute follow-up, $150 for a 45-minute follow-up, or $100 for a 30-minute follow-up. We do accept FSA and HSA cards.
Where are you located?
I am based just outside of Atlanta, GA, but offer telehealth appointments to individuals located in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, USVI, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington. If your state is not listed, you can still work with me through Kidney Foodie Academy (just not one-on-one!).
Do I have to have a referral?
If you have a Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plan, I require that you have your doctor send a referral prior to the appointment.
If you do not have a Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan, your insurance plan may not require a referral (be sure to check when you verify your benefits). If they do not require a referral, I may still need some sort of documentation from your medical records in order to bill your insurance. Downloading a copy of your most recent visit notes from your PCP and kidney doctor will often suffice.
How long are appointments?
The first appointment is typically the longest, lasting about 75-90 minutes. Follow-up appointments are typically 45-60 minutes, depending on the needs of each patient.
How often do we need to meet?
For people who are new to kidney nutrition, I recommend planning for 2-3 appointments within the first 2 months. After building a solid foundation in kidney nutrition, most patients switch to booking their appointments to align with when they get new labs.
What labs do I need to provide?
For CKD appointments, please provide your metabolic panel (may be called a Renal Function Panel, Basic Metabolic Panel, or Comprehensive Metabolic panel). You can also upload copies of other labs if they are available such as: Complete Blood Count, Lipid Panel, Parathyroid Hormone, A1C, urinalysis, etc.
For Kidney Stone Appointments: please provide copies of all bloodwork and urinalysis completed by your kidney stone doctor, including your 24-hour urine results.
What states do you accept patients from?
At this time, I am accepting patients in the US who are located in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, USVI, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington.
If you do not reside in one of these states, but plan to travel to any of those states, you may book an appointment for a time when you will be physically located in one of those states.
If you are not located in one of the states above, you can still join Kidney Foodie Academy to learn about kidney nutrition from a kidney nutrition expert. You’re also still welcome to join my newsletter.
Why do you need a credit card on file?
A credit card on file is required to cover the cost of any no show or late cancellation fees, copays, or cost sharing required by your insurance. We will notify you of any amounts that your insurance has determined that you owe prior to running your card.
Not quite ready to book?
No problem! You can still learn more about kidney nutrition and get to know my approach through my free weekly emails. I share realistic, evidence-based strategies to help you eat well, feel confident, and make progress one step at a time.