What kinds of services can I receive from a dietician or nutritionist?

September 20, 2009 by admin

Medical nutrition therapy services are also covered for people with diabetes or renal disease when referred by a doctor. These services can be given by a registered dietitian or Medicare-approved nutrition professional and include a nutritional assessment and counseling to help you manage your diabetes or kidney disease. How often is it covered? Medicare covers three hours of one-on-one counseling services the first year, and two hours each year after that. If your condition, treatment, or diagnosis changes, you may be able to get more hours of treatment with a doctor's referral. A doctor must prescribe these services and renew your referral yearly if continuing treatment is needed into another calendar year. Who is covered? People who have diabetes or renal disease (people who have kidney disease but aren't on dialysis or haven't had a kidney transplant, or for people who have kidney disease [but aren't on dialysis]) with a doctor's referral up to three years after a kidney transplant. Your costs in the Original Medicare Plan? You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.