The Truth about Insurance-Based Practices (ft. Amy Plano, The Reimbursement Dietitian) Part 1| #10

Hot Tea with Umo & Bri

Is taking insurance as a dietitian too risky, or are we just being told the wrong story? In this raw and powerful episode of Hot Tea with Umo and Bri, guest Amy Plano (aka The Reimbursement Dietitian) gets real about what it actually takes to succeed with an insurance-based practice. Amy breaks down how dietitians are still being told outdated myths, why professionalism is at an all-time low, and why many in private practice are chasing passive income before they’ve earned active income. You’ll hear why sustainable success takes time, grit, and smart systems, not perfection. Whether you’re already in private practice or thinking about starting one, this is the no-fluff conversation every dietitian needs to hear.

Learn more about Amy: https://reimbursementdietitian.com/

• Umo's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassy.sports.dietitian/
• Bri's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theathletitian/

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Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:15) Why dietitians fear taking insurance
(4:52) Making care accessible for eating disorder and performance clients
(6:05) Amy’s mission to reach every dietetics student in the U.S.
(7:23) Who should not be taking insurance
(10:11) Resilience: why private practice is like Division 1 sports
(12:05) When your "why" needs to be stronger than the hard days
(17:27) Telehealth fatigue and bloated practices in 2025
(21:09) The return of in-person care and first-world business principles
(24:36) Why being “locally successful” matters more than being everywhere
(28:10) Sustainability over speed: why slow growth wins
(30:48) The only system Amy says you truly need
(33:08) Why indecision is one of the biggest practice killers