Medical Nutrition Therapy Policy and Advocacy

Why Medical Nutrition Therapy Matters

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), as defined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, is an evidence-based application of the Nutrition Care Process. The Nutrition Care Process consists of four interconnected steps, including nutrition assessment and reassessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention and nutrition monitoring and evaluation. The goal of MNT is to prevent, delay, or manage an individual's disease and enhance their well-being through nutrition.

All individuals with nutrition-related health conditions or risk factors should have access to MNT provided by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

According to CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 90% of the nation's $4.9 trillion annual health care expenditures is spent on treating chronic and mental health conditions. Health care costs are often higher for individuals who have chronic conditions and lower household incomes, low education or employment, or poor-quality housing. Care for individuals with multiple chronic conditions is especially costly in the Medicare population, with more than two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries having multiple chronic conditions.

Expanded access to nutrition care is especially important for populations that have long faced chronic disease health disparities due to socioeconomic inequality and reduced access to health care, healthful foods and safe places to be active. With rising rates of chronic diseases that disproportionately impact communities of color, expanded access to MNT is more important now than ever.

Implementation of effective nutrition care for disease prevention and treatment has the potential to lower health care costs and improve population health, life expectancy and workforce productivity. MNT is an effective solution, which has been shown to be a cost-effective component of treatment for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, HIV infection, unintended weight loss in older adults and other chronic conditions.

Counseling provided by an RDN as part of a health care team can positively impact weight, blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar control. In a national survey of primary care physicians, respondents reported believing that RDNs were the most qualified health care providers to assist patients with weight loss. Additionally, the National Lipid Association recommends nutritional counseling by RDNs to promote long-term adherence to an individualized, heart-healthy diet.

Legislation

The Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Act (H.R. 1699) would expand coverage of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in Medicare Part B beyond diabetes and renal disease to include:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Dyslipidemia
• HIV/AIDS
• Hypertension
• Eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal diseases including celiac disease
• Malnutrition
• Obesity
• Prediabetes
• any other disease or condition causing unintentional weight loss

Passage of the MNT Act would also authorize U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand coverage for MNT to other disease or condition as determined medically necessary. In addition, the legislation would allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists and psychologists to refer their patients for MNT.

The Academy's Stance on MNT

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released its position paper, "The Effectiveness of Medical Nutrition Therapy in Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease,” published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in November 2025.

The paper reaffirms that MNT provided by RDNs is a proven, evidence-based approach to improving health outcomes, reducing health disparities and lowering health care costs for people living with or at risk for chronic diseases.

Get Involved

Academy Members: Get involved and connect with fellow Academy members to advocate for top policy priorities impacting our profession. The MNT and Payment Affinity Group meets quarterly to discuss Academy advocacy priorities and strategies related to enhancing access to MNT and nutrition care services. Join the MNT and Payment Affinity Group.

Organizations: Join the MNT Advocacy Coalition. We meet monthly to strategize on federal policy efforts to increase access to MNT services, including advancing the MNT Act. Send an email to to get engaged.

MNT Advocacy Resources

• Medical Nutrition Therapy Act Issue Brief
• Medical Nutrition Therapy Act Bill Text
• MNT Act Cost Effectiveness Avalere Study
• MNT Effectiveness Summary
• MNT Stories
• Infographic: Exploring the Benefits of Medical Nutrition Therapy
• RDN Leave Behind: Start every conversation ensuring that policymakers understand what RDNs do.