Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover nutrition counseling?
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Short answer
Covered: Part B
Yes, Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy, including nutrition counseling from a registered dietitian, if you have diabetes or kidney disease, or you've had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, and a doctor refers you.
You pay nothing for medical nutrition therapy under Medicare Part B if you qualify for it.
Medicare Part B covers 3 hours of medical nutrition therapy in your first calendar year and up to 2 hours of follow-up services in each calendar year after that.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Covered by | Part B, as a preventive service | Medicare.gov |
| Who qualifies | People with diabetes or kidney disease, or a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, with a doctor's referral | Medicare.gov |
| Who provides it | A registered dietitian or a nutrition professional who meets certain requirements | Medicare.gov |
| First year | 3 hours in the first calendar year; unused hours don't carry over | Medicare.gov |
| Later years | Up to 2 hours of follow-up services each calendar year | Medicare.gov |
| What you pay | Nothing, if you qualify | Medicare.gov |
What nutrition services does Medicare cover?
Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy, which uses nutrition education to manage, treat or prevent chronic diseases and conditions. The services you get may include:
- An initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment
- Individual or group nutritional therapy services
- Nutrition counseling about what foods to eat and how to follow an individualized diabetic meal plan
- Help managing the lifestyle factors that affect your diabetes
- Follow-up visits to check on your progress
Who qualifies for medical nutrition therapy under Medicare?
Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy if a doctor refers you and one of these applies to you:
- You have diabetes.
- You have kidney disease.
- You've had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months.
How many hours of nutrition therapy does Medicare cover?
Initial coverage includes 3 hours of medical nutrition therapy in the first calendar year, and those hours can't be carried over to the next calendar year. You may get up to 2 hours of follow-up services each calendar year after the year of your initial coverage.
If your doctor decides a change in your medical condition requires a change in your diet, your doctor can give you a referral for more hours beyond the initial coverage.
Who can provide Medicare-covered nutrition therapy, and what do I pay?
Only a registered dietitian, or a nutrition professional who meets certain requirements, can provide medical nutrition therapy services. You pay nothing for these services if you qualify for them. Medical nutrition therapy is available in many Federally Qualified Health Centers, and if you get dialysis in a dialysis facility, Medicare covers medical nutrition therapy as part of your overall dialysis care.
Can I get diabetes self-management training too?
Yes, if you have diabetes you may also qualify for diabetes self-management training under Medicare Part B, which offers services similar to medical nutrition therapy; you must meet certain requirements to get both. The training needs an order from your doctor, covers up to 10 hours of initial training, and costs 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible in 2026. For people at risk of type 2 diabetes, see the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program.
Does Medicare cover nutrition counseling for weight loss?
Medicare Part B covers obesity behavioral therapy, which includes a dietary assessment and counseling to help you lose weight by focusing on diet and exercise, if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. You must get the counseling from your primary care doctor or other primary care provider in a primary care setting, and you must meet certain weight loss requirements for Medicare to keep covering it. You pay nothing if your primary care provider accepts assignment.
Good to know
More questions people ask
Does Medicare cover a dietitian?
Do I need a referral for Medicare to cover nutrition therapy?
Do unused medical nutrition therapy hours carry over?
Does Medicare Advantage cover nutrition therapy?
Related questions
- Medicare.gov: Medical nutrition therapy services
- Medicare.gov: Diabetes self-management training
- Medicare.gov: Obesity behavioral therapy
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies, Services & Prevention Programs
- Medicare.gov: Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.