Bill > S3934

This bill, titled the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2026, aims to broaden the types of medical conditions for which Medicare beneficiaries can receive medical nutrition therapy (MNT), which is professional guidance on diet and nutrition to manage health conditions. Currently, MNT is primarily covered by Medicare Part B for individuals with diabetes or kidney disease. This legislation expands coverage to include a wider range of chronic conditions such as prediabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, malnutrition, eating disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, HIV, AIDS, and cardiovascular disease, among others, if deemed medically necessary by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or consistent with established clinical guidelines. The bill also clarifies that MNT can be provided by physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and, for eating disorders, clinical psychologists, and it excludes MNT for renal disease if the individual is already receiving maintenance dialysis. These changes are intended to make MNT more accessible and cost-effective for managing the numerous chronic conditions prevalent among Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those from minority backgrounds who are disproportionately affected by diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3934/all-info