Medication is a significant part of diabetes management. Yet, it’s only one part. The CDC recommends that individuals with diabetes take part in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). This applies to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
What Does Medical Nutrition Therapy Involve?
By definition, MNT is evidence-based, individualized, patient-centered nutrition treatment. Only a registered dietitian (RD) can provide this therapy.
MNT consists of the nutrition care process, which includes four steps:
- Nutrition assessment
- Nutrition diagnosis
- Nutrition intervention
- Nutrition monitoring and evaluation
Research reveals that MNT helps people with diabetes reduce their A1C levels. They are better able to manage their condition by learning how to eat well with their disease.
Building the Medical Nutrition Therapy Plan
During an initial assessment, RDs collect a wealth of information. This includes factors like:
- height
- weight
- medical history
- labs
- medications
- current dietary intake
- food allergies
Altogether, the information helps guide the RD to create a “nutrition diagnosis.”
Then, the RD builds a nutrition intervention. This could be as simple as providing a nutrition education packet that explains the plate method for diabetes nutrition. They also help patients understand which foods impact their blood sugars. Afterward, RDs track a patient’s progress.
One’s MNT goals may differ from another patient’s. No two individuals are exactly the same. For instance, one person’s goal might be to lose weight. Another person’s goal could be to decrease protein intake. RDs take into account unique medical history and lifestyle factors when building the medical nutrition therapy plan.
It’s important to note that MNT does not replace traditional diabetes management. It complements care and helps individuals achieve their best health. One might say it “fine tunes” nutritional behaviors and lifestyle habits.
RDs also work alongside physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other members of one’s healthcare team.
Is Medical Nutrition Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Most insurance companies cover MNT in varying degrees. For example, an insurance provider might include five hours of MNT during a calendar year. Another may offer unlimited hours. Coverage depends on the insurance carrier and the specific medical condition.
Currently, Medicare covers MNT for patients with diabetes or kidney disease or for individuals that have had a kidney transplant within the last 36 months. Medicare covers three hours of MNT in the initial year of referral and up to two hours of MNT for the years after. These hours are based on the calendar year. Individuals cannot carry Medicare MNT hours over from year to year.
If you’re interested in MNT, contact your insurance provider to learn more about coverage.
Listen to a Podcast About Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medical Nutrition Therapy is considered a key component of diabetes education and management by the CDC. One of the benefits is lowering the A1C level, but it does much more than that. In this podcast, learn from dietitian and diabetes educator Jocelyne Loran what this program is, how it works and the many benefits it offers to patients who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Listen online here or below on YouTube.
More to Read
- Staying Hydrated When You Have Diabetes
- Treatments for Pain Caused by Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy
- The Connection Between Diabetes and Mental Health
- The Connection Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease
Medically reviewed by Jocelyne Loran, RD, LDN, CDCES, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at UM Charles Regional Medical Center.
