Medical Nutrition Therapy

People don’t always give a great deal of thought to the tremendous impact that the food they eat has on their overall health. In fact, with the often-hectic schedules that people keep, food can be something of an afterthought.

Rather than planning healthy, nutritious meals in advance, there is a tendency to grab whatever is quick and convenient. Unfortunately, that often translates to food that is loaded with salt, fat, excess calories, and many other undesirable components. The result is a population that tends toward obesity and in which conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease run rampant.

By following a more intentional eating plan such as Medical Nutrition Therapy, it may be possible for people to lose weight, prevent harmful medical conditions from occurring or improve the symptoms of existing diseases. At Centric Healthcare, we help people by designing a nutrition program that works for them.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy?

This treatment, which frequently is abbreviated to MNT, is implemented by a Registered Dietician to assist a patient with the treatment of various diseases and conditions. Each MNT nutrition plan is tailor-made for the individual, taking into account their health history, their current condition, religious considerations, allergies, and many other factors.

MNT nutrition brings an enhanced consciousness and awareness to the food the patient eats. Through working with the dietician, the patient learns how various foods and food groups provide fuel for the body and how they may help or hurt overall health. No foods are strictly forbidden under these programs. Instead, the focus is on smaller portion sizes and getting more servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and fewer servings of fats and sweets.

What Happens During an In-home Dietitian Visit?

The in-home visit is a critical first step toward a healthier lifestyle. It involves two main components: assessment and education. Frequently, the dietician will request that the patient keep a food diary for three to five days prior to the visit. This provides a helpful record of current habits. The dietician may use this diary to look for a starting point to creating a plan for better nutrition.

The assessment continues with an inspection of the kitchen and an evaluation of the patient’s current health. Several questions will be asked about health history and the patient’s nutritional needs.

Then, the dietician uses the assessment to address the education portion of the visit. They make individualized recommendations and personalized goals for each patient. The dietician also covers the best ways to meet these goals.

Does Medicare cover Medical Nutrition Therapy?

If you are on Medicare and have diabetes or Chronic Kidney Disease, then your MNT program may be 100 percent covered. Kidney disease patients who are receiving dialysis are not covered for MNT under Medicare. The government is considering adding this coverage for people on Medicare with other health concerns, like heart disease.

Are you eligible for MNT?

Check with your insurer to determine whether or not your specific policy covers MNT. An increasing number of insurance companies are making MNT a part of their coverage as they recognize that better nutrition leads to fewer health complications. Then, schedule an appointment with a Registered Dietician from Centric Healthcare. Our certified, compassionate caregivers are prepared to create an MNT nutrition plan that maximizes your well-being.