Submitting referrals as a provider

Referrals for MNT and care coordination

My main goal in practice is to build strong, trusting relationships with patients to deliver high-quality care. A cornerstone of this goal is interdisciplinary teamwork. I prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration by keeping open communication with referring providers and the entire care team. Continued collaborative communication with the patient's care team improves quality and comprehensiveness of care, keeps providers informed and ensures continuity of care. If you have a patient you believe would benefit from medical nutrition therapy, you may send a referral via fax or secure email. Fax and contact information listed below:

  • Referrals can be made by: Fax: 254-343-1480

  • Secure message: [email protected] (NOTED, make sure you are sending from an encrypted email address)

  • Direct patient self-referral (if applicable)

  • Please include relevant diagnoses, labs, and clinical notes when available.

  • Communication Clinical updates and recommendations can be shared upon request to support continuity of care.

  • Appointment summaries and updates will also be provided to referring providers after initial and subsequent visits.

  • Questions? Feel free to contact the practice to discuss whether a patient may benefit from MNT at 254-221-9059, or you can also schedule a Discovery Call.

Insurances Accepted

We are currently in-network with BCBSTX plans and Medicare at this time. Additional in network payers pending. Providers will be contacted when additional insurance payers are added to the practice.

steps for your clinical team

Consulting Services for your Clinical Team or Facility

I’ll tailor the conversation to your clinical team and workflows—hospital, outpatient clinics, community nutrition programs, or specialty clinics—and focus on how nutrition intervention can benefit your practice or facility, importance of nutrition related knowledge in the healthcare realm, and provide education on important nutrition related topics for your team. Education can be provided for your team in relation to care for your patients, or, for support to your staff's own health and wellness. If you are interested in a lunch and learn for your team, a dedicated presentation on a topic you feel is pertinent, or need consulting services for your patients, feel free to reach out via phone or email. To make sure services are a good fit, you may schedule a discovery call with the link below.

Prefer email for clinical nutrition demos? Please reach out to me at: [email protected]

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT): What It Is & Why It Matters

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a clinical, evidence-based nutrition service provided by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to treat and manage medical conditions. Unlike general nutrition advice, MNT is:

  • Individualized based on medical history, labs, and medications
  • Focused on disease management and measurable outcomes
  • Integrated into the patient’s overall care plan

When to refer for MNT

  • Unintended weight loss or malnutrition
  • Dysphagia or aspiration risk (with interdisciplinary approach with SLP and referring provider)
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Recurrent hypoglycemia
  • Significant weight gain with metabolic complications
  • CKD and or kidney disorders that affect nutritive status
  • Tube‑feeding prescription initiation or monitoring
  • Persistent GI disorders affecting intake or absorption
  • Polypharmacy affecting appetite or absorption
  • Nutrition interventions specifically for a patient in the Veteran population due to unique exposures or circumstances related to their time in service.

What You Can Expect

  • Comprehensive nutrition assessment
  • Individualized care plan
  • Ongoing follow-up and accountability to support long term success and improve health outcomes (i.e. weight stabilization in malnutrition or patients with catabolic diseases, improvements in A1c and lipid profiles, tailored and appropriate tube feed formula prescription, etc.)
  • Coordination of care when appropriate

Why refer?

  • Improves patient outcomes and adherence
  • Reduces provider time spent on nutrition counseling
  • Supports chronic disease management
  • Covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (coverage varies)

Questions from providers

What clinicians commonly ask a solo clinical dietitian

If you have a question that isn’t covered here, I am happy to dig into it during your discovery call or via email.

Do you accept referrals and from whom?

Yes. I accept referrals from physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, therapists, and other allied health professionals.

What is the typical timing for new-patient visits and do you prioritize urgent cases?

New-patient visits are typically scheduled within 2–4 weeks; urgent cases are triaged and scheduled sooner based on clinical need. If you have a patient that needs more urgent care, please include "URGENT" in referral.

What information do you need with a referral?

Please include the patient’s current diagnosis, recent labs, relevant imaging or notes, current medications, and the reason for referral.

How do you communicate back to referring clinicians?

I send a concise written report summarizing assessment and recommendations; I can also call or message directly when urgent or requested.

Spainhour Nutrition Therapy

Medical nutrition therapy for adults managing complex health conditions, delivered virtually with evidence-based care.

Licensure

Texas & Oregon
Washington Pending

Telehealth-only practice. Please confirm eligibility at scheduling.

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