Medical Nutrition Therapy, or MNT, is an individualized nutrition education and counseling program provided by a Registered Dietitian (RD).

Any adult age 18 and over who has a condition that may be improved by diet and lifestyle change, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or hypertension.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Have I ever been told my blood sugar is high or that I have diabetes?
• Do I suffer from low blood sugar?
• Is my cholesterol high?
• Am I overweight by 25 pounds or more?
• Does my weight affect the way I breathe, walk, or carry out my daily activities?
• Do I have kidney disease?
• Do I have heart disease?
• Am I pregnant and need nutritional advice?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may benefit from Medical Nutrition Therapy, a nutritional approach to managing medical conditions.

Many insurance plans cover the cost of Medical Nutrition Therapy services. Medicare Part B covers MNT for diabetes and kidney disease, allowing up to 3 hours of service in an initial year, and 2 hours in subsequent years. Medicaid does not currently cover MNT. Private insurances vary in their degree of coverage, and may be fully covered or require a copay or coinsurance.

A physician referral is required for Medical Nutrition Therapy. For any patients with a diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes, the Diabetes Wellness Program Physician Referral for Diabetes Training (LMH form 1563) should be utilized to make a referral to the dietitian. For patients without these diagnoses, referrals should be made on the LMH Outpatient Nutrition referral form.

Call Holly White, RD, LDN at 252-522-7471 for more information or to make a referral.

Once a completed referral form is received, the Medical Nutrition Therapy insurance benefits are verified. The patient is then contacted and the MNT referral and estimated insurance coverage are reviewed. Once the patient agrees to participate, an initial MNT appointment is scheduled.

The one-hour initial MNT visit involves a thorough review of the patient’s eating habits, readiness to change, and nutritional health. An individualized nutrition prescription including specific goals is developed and shared with the patient.

Depending on the patient’s nutrition goals and needs, follow-up MNT visits are scheduled at various intervals. Follow-up visits are 30 minutes, during which progress toward previous goals is reviewed, and goals are updated.

Call Holly White, RD, LDN at 252-522-7471 for more information or to make a referral.