Medicare coverage
Does Medicare Cover Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Yes. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medical nutrition therapy services, if you’re eligible.
Yes: Part B
Source: Medicare.gov, Medical nutrition therapy services, checked October 23, 2026.
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Coverage at a glance
- Covered?
- Yes
- Which part
- Part B
- What you pay
- You pay nothing if you qualify.
- How often
- 3 hours for initial coverage 2 hours of follow up services each calendar year after initial coverage
- Type
- Preventive service
- Part B deductible 2026
- $283 a year (CMS). Part B premium $202.90 a month.
- Medicare.gov page
- Medical nutrition therapy services
Description
Medical nutrition therapy uses nutrition education to manage, treat, or prevent chronic diseases and conditions. The services you get 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
From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.
Coverage details
If you get dialysis in a dialysis facility, Medicare covers medical nutrition therapy services as part of your overall dialysis care.
If you have diabetes, you may also qualify for diabetes self-management training, which offers similar services to the ones you get through medical nutrition therapy. You must meet certain requirements to get both diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy services.
From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.
Who's eligible
You must have diabetes or kidney disease, or you’ve had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months. A doctor must refer you for the services.
From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.
Provider requirements
Only a registered dietitian (or nutrition professional who meets certain requirements) can provide medical nutrition therapy services.
From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.
Costs
You pay nothing for these services if you qualify for them.
From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.
How often
- Initial coverage includes 3 hours of medical nutrition therapy services in the first calendar year. These hours can’t be carried over to the next calendar year.
- If your doctor decides a change in your medical condition requires a change in your diet, they can give you a referral for more hours beyond the initial coverage. You may get up to 2 hours of follow-up services each calendar year, after the year you got your initial coverage.
From Medicare.gov, checked October 23, 2026.
National Coverage Determinations
- NCD 180.1: Medical Nutrition Therapy
Version 2, effective January 1, 2022
An NCD is the national rule CMS writes for when Medicare pays for an item or service. Local coverage determinations (LCDs) from each Medicare contractor can add detail. Read the NCD text on the CMS site.
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Questions
Does Medicare Cover Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Yes. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medical nutrition therapy services, if you’re eligible.
Which part of Medicare covers Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Medicare.gov lists Medical nutrition therapy services under Part B.
How much do you pay for Medical Nutrition Therapy with Medicare?
Per Medicare.gov: You pay nothing if you qualify.
Is there a national coverage determination for Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Yes. CMS NCD 180.1, Medical Nutrition Therapy, version 2, effective 2022-01-01.
Does a Medicare Advantage plan cover Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Medicare Advantage plans must cover what Original Medicare covers and some offer extra benefits. Check the plan's Evidence of Coverage. Rivvi does not recommend plans.
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Does Medicare Cover Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Yes. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medical nutrition therapy services, if you’re eligible.
Checked against Medicare.gov 2026-10-23. Source: Rivvi