Medicare currently only covers medical nutrition therapy — personalized counseling from a registered dietitian — for patients with diabetes or kidney disease, even though nutrition is a proven part of managing many other chronic conditions. This bill would expand that benefit to cover obesity, prediabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, malnutrition, celiac disease, and more. It also lets nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists order nutrition therapy services, not just physicians. With over two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries living with two or more chronic conditions, the expansion could reach a significant number of seniors.
Congressional Summary
This bill expands Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services.Currently, Medicare covers such services for individuals with diabetes or kidney disease under certain circumstances; such services must also be provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a physician referral. The bill extends coverage to individuals with other diseases and conditions, including obesity, eating disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS; such services may also be referred by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or (for eating disorders) a clinical psychologist.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-02-26
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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