Does Medicare Cover Medical Nutrition Therapy?

Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy (MNT) at 100% for beneficiaries with specific health conditions. Unlike most Part B services where you pay 20% coinsurance after the deductible, MNT is one of the few services Medicare covers with no cost-sharing at all - meaning you pay $0 for covered sessions.

MNT is a therapeutic approach to managing chronic disease through individualized nutrition assessment and counseling. Sessions are conducted by a registered dietitian (RD) or nutrition professional who accepts Medicare assignment. Your doctor must provide a referral for MNT - you cannot self-refer.

In the first year of coverage, Medicare covers up to **3 hours** of MNT. In subsequent years, Medicare covers up to **2 hours** per year. Additional hours may be covered if your doctor determines they are medically necessary. Sessions can be conducted in person or via telehealth.

Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover MNT under the same rules as Original Medicare. Because Part B covers MNT at 100%, Medicare Advantage plans must also cover it at 100% for eligible beneficiaries.

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional nutrition-related benefits beyond MNT - such as coverage for weight management programs, nutrition counseling for conditions beyond diabetes and kidney disease, or meal delivery after hospital discharge. Check your plan's Summary of Benefits for details.

Medigap plans are designed to cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare leaves behind - such as deductibles and coinsurance. Because MNT is already covered at 100% by Medicare Part B with no cost-sharing, there is nothing for Medigap to cover.

If you have a Medigap plan, you still benefit from MNT coverage - you simply won't need to use your Medigap plan for these sessions since they are already free under Part B.