Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Nutrition Therapy Services (MNT)

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services are available for those who have diabetes or kidney disease, have had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, and are referred by a provider for services.

What it is

Services may include:

• An initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment

• Individual and/or group nutritional therapy services

• Help to manage the lifestyle factors that affect diabetes

• Follow-up visits to check on progress in diet management

The kidneys (at least one, if not two) are essential to life, and when they are vulnerable, the demands placed on them require special attention.  Diet is a big part of that demand.  Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a key component of diabetes and renal education and management.  For those with diabetes, kidney disease, or kidney transplant, the MNT benefit is available. 

Believe it or not, what we eat significantly impacts our kidneys.  Likewise, what we eat can cause wide fluctuations in blood sugar and complicate diabetes.  Both renal problems and uncontrolled blood sugar can cause devastating events in the body.  Diet is a modifiable risk factor (meaning under our control) that can work for us as a prevention intervention.

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a nutrition-based treatment provided by a registered dietician nutritionist and includes a nutrition diagnosis, and therapeutic and counseling services (CDC, 2022).  Nutrition status assessment guides food choices and nutrient intake (quantity, quality, cooking methods, etc.) to treat certain medical conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes.  It is also used in heart disease, cancer, and digestive disorders.  A registered dietician works to create a nutrition plan that meets dietary needs while giving feedback.

The components of MNT are nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition interventions, nutrition monitoring and evaluation (ongoing follow-up to support long-term lifestyle changes), and nutrition outcomes and modification.  The aims and benefits of MNT are foremost cardiovascular and organ protection, though it often also results in improved digestion, reduced inflammation, better sleep, weight loss, reduced stress, and heightened immunity (with many other benefits reported by users).

The plan covers 3 hours of one-on-one counseling services during the first year of MNT services, and 2 hours each year thereafter.  If there are changes in condition, treatment, or diagnosis, more hours of treatment may be available with a provider order.  A provider must prescribe these services and renew that order yearly if treatment is needed into the next calendar year.

Things to know

Only a Registered Dietitian (or nutrition professional who meets certain requirements) can provide MNT services.

If the member receives dialysis in a dialysis facility, MNT is covered as part of their overall dialysis care.

If the member lives in a rural area, they may be able to get MNT via telehealth from a Registered Dietitian or other nutritional professional in a different location.

If the member has diabetes, they may also be eligible for diabetes self-management training (a separate benefit).