In response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ request for information on Essential Health Benefits, the Academy highlighted the need for the United States Department of Health and Human Services to fulfill the opportunities brought about by the Affordable Care Act to expand equitable access to quality care to all Americans.
The Academy emphasized the need for HHS to provide better clarity and guidance for states for EHB categories for more consistent implementation for nutrition-related services. The Academy’s recommendations focused on clarifying language relating to access to and coverage of medical nutrition therapy and nutrition services, and identifying registered dietitian nutritionists as qualified, credentialed providers of nutrition care services. In addition, the comments requested that CMS recognize obesity as a complex, chronic condition and require EHB plans to cover all evidence-based treatment services under the appropriate EHB categories, specifically to support Grade A or B USPSTF recommendations for the provision of nutrition-related care in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Read the Academy’s comments here.
As a member of both the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance and the Obesity Care Advocacy Network, the Academy also provided input during the development process of their respective comments for this issue.
Academy members interested in adding their support to the Academy’s policy and advocacy efforts are encouraged to join the monthly affinity group meetings.
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