Medical nutrition therapy services

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medical nutrition therapy services if you have diabetes or kidney disease, or you’ve had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months. A doctor must refer you for services.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay nothing for these preventive services if you qualify to get them.

Your doctor may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn't cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and if, or how much, Medicare will pay for them.

What it is

Services may include:

  • An initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment
  • Individual and/or group nutritional therapy services
  • Help managing the lifestyle factors that affect your diabetes
  • Follow-up visits to check on your progress in managing your diet

Things to know

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

If you get dialysis in a dialysis facility, Medicare covers medical nutrition therapy services as part of your overall dialysis care.

If you’re in a rural area, you may be able to get medical nutrition therapy services via telehealth from a Registered Dietitian or other nutritional professional in a different location.

If you have diabetes, you may also qualify for diabetes self-management training.

Is my test, item, or service covered?