Does Foodsmart Cost Money? Unpacking the Pricing and Coverage

January 10, 2026 •

4 min read

According to research from the American Medical Association, consumer confusion over telehealth costs is a major barrier to care, making it a common question: does Foodsmart cost money? The answer is not a simple yes or no, as your access and potential fees are heavily dependent on your specific health insurance or employer plan.

Quick Summary

Foodsmart's cost hinges on your health insurance or employer, with many users accessing the service for free. A self-pay option is available for those without coverage.

Key Points

Check Your Coverage: The cost of Foodsmart depends on whether your health insurance or employer covers the program, often resulting in $0 out-of-pocket expenses.
Self-Pay Option: For those without coverage, Foodsmart has a self-pay plan, previously priced at about $69 per month for a single dietitian visit.
Included Services: A Foodsmart membership, regardless of how you pay, typically includes unlimited dietitian visits (for covered plans), a personalized meal plan app, and access to recipes.
Incentives vs. Costs: Foodsmart Bucks are non-cost incentives, but users are responsible for grocery purchases, delivery fees, and tips when using services like Instacart.
Verify Before Signing Up: Contacting your health plan or HR department is the most reliable way to confirm your eligibility and any potential co-pays before beginning the service.

Understanding Foodsmart's Cost Structure

Foodsmart is a personalized telehealth nutrition platform that connects users with registered dietitians for coaching and provides an app with meal planning tools. The cost is variable and determined by your access method, which typically falls into one of three categories: covered by a health plan, covered by an employer, or self-pay.

Access Through Health Insurance

Many health insurance companies have partnerships with Foodsmart to offer nutrition counseling as a covered benefit, meaning you may have no out-of-pocket costs for dietitian visits. This is often the case for wellness and preventative care services, which align perfectly with Foodsmart's mission. However, coverage can vary widely between plans, so it's essential to verify your specific policy details.

Here’s how to check your insurance coverage for Foodsmart:

Use the Foodsmart Portal: During the sign-up process, the platform often prompts you to enter your insurance information to determine eligibility and any associated costs.
Contact Your Insurer: The most reliable method is to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask if Foodsmart services are covered under your plan, including details on potential co-pays or deductibles.
Review Your Plan Documents: Check your health plan's summary of benefits to see if nutritional counseling or telehealth nutrition is listed as a covered service.

Access Through Employer Benefits

Some employers offer Foodsmart as a wellness benefit to their employees. This can provide free access to the platform and unlimited visits with a registered dietitian. Employer-sponsored access is designed to promote employee health and productivity, covering the full cost of the service. You can determine if this is an option by:

Checking Your HR Portal: Log into your company’s human resources or benefits portal to see if Foodsmart is listed among the available wellness programs.
Asking HR: A quick chat with your human resources department can confirm if Foodsmart is a benefit provided by your company.

The Self-Pay Option

For those without insurance or employer coverage, Foodsmart offers a direct self-pay plan. This plan typically includes monthly dietitian visits at a fixed rate. In previous offerings, this was priced at $69 per month for one visit. It is always best to check the most current pricing on the Foodsmart website, as costs can change.

A Comparison of Foodsmart Pricing

To help you understand where Foodsmart stands in the market, here is a comparison with a typical paid nutrition app and traditional in-person dietitian services.


Feature	Foodsmart (Covered Plan)	Foodsmart (Self-Pay)	Typical Paid Nutrition App	Traditional Dietitian
Monthly Cost	Often $0	~$69 for one visit	$7–$15 per month	$75–$250+ per session
Included Visits	Unlimited dietitian visits	One dietitian visit per month	None	One in-person session
Personalized Plan	Yes, with dietitian	Yes, with dietitian	Sometimes, algorithm-based	Yes, with dietitian
Food Delivery Integration	Yes	Yes	No	No
Insurance Friendly	Yes, based on coverage	No	No	Yes, often covered

Additional Costs to Consider

It is important to note that while the core Foodsmart service may be free through your plan, other related costs are generally not covered. For example, if you use the platform's integration with Instacart, you will be responsible for the actual cost of groceries, delivery fees, and tips, though you might receive 'Foodsmart Bucks' (or Fresh Funds) as an incentive for engagement.

What You Get with Foodsmart

Regardless of how you access the service, a Foodsmart membership includes several valuable features:

Access to a Registered Dietitian: You can have one-on-one telehealth consultations to discuss your health goals and receive personalized guidance.
NutriQuiz: An initial assessment helps tailor meal plans and dietary recommendations to your specific needs.
Meal Planning and Recipes: The app provides access to a database of chef-crafted recipes and customizable meal plans.
Grocery List Integration: You can generate grocery lists based on your meal plan and sync them with local grocery stores, including Instacart.

Conclusion: So, Does Foodsmart Cost Money?

To conclude, whether Foodsmart costs money depends entirely on your specific circumstances. Many people enjoy the service for free through their health insurance or employer, making it a highly accessible option for expert nutritional guidance. For those who aren't covered, a self-pay model is available for a predictable monthly fee. The key is to check your eligibility upfront by contacting your insurance provider or HR department. This simple step can clarify your potential costs and ensure you get started on your health journey with a clear financial picture. For a definitive answer about your specific coverage, your insurance card is your best starting point.

For more detailed information on Foodsmart's benefits through employer plans, you may find this resource helpful: Foodsmart Employee Benefits and Perks.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can verify your coverage by entering your insurance information on the Foodsmart website during sign-up or by calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card to inquire about nutritional counseling benefits.

Full access to the Foodsmart app and its premium features, such as personalized meal plans and dietitian appointments, is typically included as a benefit through a health plan or employer, effectively making it free for those covered.

Without insurance coverage, Foodsmart has offered a self-pay option, with a historical cost of $69 per month for one dietitian visit. It's best to confirm the current price directly on the Foodsmart website.

Yes, you are responsible for the cost of your groceries, delivery fees, and tips. While Foodsmart offers incentives like 'Foodsmart Bucks,' these typically only cover select items and do not pay for your entire shopping bill.

While there is no universally offered free trial for everyone, many people effectively get free access to the service and dietitian appointments because their health plan or employer covers the cost as a wellness benefit.

Access through your employer or health plan both typically offer significant coverage, but the specific included services, number of sessions, and any minor costs (like co-pays) can differ. Always verify the specifics with your benefits administrator or insurer.

Yes, you can access Foodsmart through their self-pay option, which offers a set number of dietitian visits per month for a fixed fee, allowing those without covered access to utilize the service.