Is Medical Nutrition Therapy Considered a Form of Preventive Care and Is It Reimbursable?

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The affordable care act (ACA) has had a positive impact on registered dietitians nutritionists (RDNs). In the past usually RDNs would be included in a patients treatment after a doctor diagnosed the patient with a medical diagnosis. This limited reimbursements to be linked to a specific health condition. The ACA supports preventative health care services therefore RDNs can consult a patient before their a diagnosed with a chronic disease and essentially help prevent the patient from developing the chronic disease through medical nutrition therapy. RDNs are able to bill to private insurance companies as well as some medicaid programs for preventative care services. The increased focus of wellness/preventative care has helped reinforce the RDNs role in helping prevent disease and the promotion of living a healthy lifestyle. 

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Kohn, J. B., & Schofield, M. (2015). Is Medical Nutrition Therapy Considered a Form of Preventive Care and Is It Reimbursable?. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(11), 1904.

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