Medical nutrition therapy services
Medicare Coverage Information
Overview
Medicare provides coverage for medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with specific chronic conditions. These services help patients manage their health through personalized nutritional counseling and dietary planning with registered dietitians or nutrition professionals.
- Covers nutritional therapy for diabetes, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions
- Includes initial nutrition assessment and follow-up visits
- Provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals
- Helps develop personalized nutrition and lifestyle plans
- Typically covered under Medicare Part B
- Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes
- Patients with kidney disease
- Those with other qualifying chronic metabolic disorders
- Must have a physician referral
- Generally covered at 80% after meeting Part B deductible
- Beneficiary typically pays 20% coinsurance for approved services
- No additional copayment for nutrition therapy services
- Limited to specific chronic conditions
- Requires physician referral
- Must be deemed medically necessary
- Limited number of visits per year (typically 3 hours initial year, 2 hours subsequent years)
- Consult with your primary care physician about medical nutrition therapy
- Get a referral from your doctor for nutrition services
- Verify coverage details with your specific Medicare plan
- Contact 1-800-MEDICARE for additional information
Last updated: 6/15/2025
Quick Information
- Provider
- Medicare
- Last Updated
- 6/15/2025
- Topics
- Medicare nutrition therapymedical nutrition counselingMedicare diet servicesnutrition coveragechronic disease nutrition
Related Coverage Topics
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