Covered condition
Diabetes or qualifying renal disease: GFR 15–59; ESRD without maintenance dialysis; or within 36 months after successful kidney transplant.
Stop: separate Part B MNT is excluded during maintenance dialysis.
Reviewed August 21, 2026
Medicare Part B Medical Nutrition Therapy
Order It Right the First Time
Five every time. Four when applicable. Check the national Medicare minimum, then complete reasonable facility workflow items.
5 Check every time
MD/DO referral
The referral comes from a doctor of medicine or osteopathy.
APP alert: an NP, PA, CNS, or other APP cannot be the MNT referrer under the current national rule.
Diagnosis stated
The referral clearly identifies diabetes or qualifying renal disease. Add the most accurate ICD-10-CM code as a clean-workflow safeguard.
Referral in the medical record
Document the physician referral/order in the medical record. No special national Medicare MNT form is prescribed.
Authenticated and dated
Use an identifiable, compliant signature and date. The referring physician NPI is required on the Medicare claim; a site may also request it on the referral.
5 + 4Condition · Physician · Diagnosis · Record · Authentication
New year · Extra hours · Dialysis · Facility extras
New year · Extra hours · Dialysis · Facility extras
3 → 2 → +3 hours initial calendar year · 2 subsequent · more after qualifying change + second referral