Medical Nutrition Therapy

What you eat can affect how your body feels, functions and heals. At Mayo Clinic Health System, we offer medical nutrition therapy that can improve your lifelong health. Embracing healthy nutrition can reduce your medical appointments, hospital stays and prescription medication use.

Our registered dietitians are important members of your healthcare team. They provide practical, evidence-based medical nutrition therapy. They take the time to get to know you so they can meet your lifestyle needs and health concerns.

Find out more about our medical nutrition therapy services:

• Conditions and consultations
• Diagnosis and treatments
• Medical nutrition specialists
• Referrals
• FAQ
• Medical nutrition therapy locations near you
• Medical nutrition therapy providers near you

Conditions and consultations

Medical nutrition therapy is a specialized area of nutrition involving education and intervention. Our registered dietitians teach people of all ages how to use food to manage their weight, reduce symptoms and improve their health.

Dietitians use medical nutrition therapy to help manage and treat health conditions and chronic diseases, including:

• Cancer
• Diabetes, including prediabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes
• Food allergies and intolerance
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Heart disease, including high cholesterol and hypertension
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Obesity and bariatric surgery preparation
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Our registered dietitians also work with children and adults to reach specific goals. They help with weight loss, weight gain or chronic disease prevention.

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Diagnosis and treatments

Registered dietitians are essential providers of food and nutrition services. They work with your care team to include nutrition therapy in your treatment plan.

During medical nutrition therapy sessions, a registered dietitian may:

• Perform a nutrition assessment
• Determine a nutrition diagnosis
• Educate you about the effects of your diet on your condition
• Establish and apply a nutrition plan
• Monitor and evaluate your progress

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Medical nutrition specialists

Our registered dietitians develop personalized and effective nutrition plans based on:

• Your individual and family health goals
• Science-based nutrition guidelines
• Behavioral strategies for disease prevention, recovery and long-term management

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Referrals

A referral is required for medical nutrition therapy. Talk with your primary care provider to determine if medical nutrition therapy is right for you and to arrange a referral.

If you are a provider, you can refer a patient online, by phone or by fax.

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FAQ

Will insurance cover the cost of medical nutrition therapy?

Insurance coverage may vary. Many plans cover medical nutrition therapy with a provider referral. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers medical nutrition therapy services for people with diabetes or kidney disease, or if you underwent a kidney transplant in the last 36 months.

Contact your insurance carrier for coverage details. Our Patient Account Services team can answer any questions you have about billing and insurance.

How long are appointments with a registered dietitian?

Your first appointment with a registered dietitian typically lasts 60 minutes. During the initial visit, you will discuss your nutrition goals, lifestyle and current diet. This information enables the dietitian to create a plan personalized to your needs. Follow-up appointments average 30 minutes.

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Explore locations or providers near you for details on medical nutrition therapy: