Information for Medicare Patients

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Use your Medicare benefits to see a dietitian

If you have Medicare, you may be able to see a dietitian at zero cost to you! Read on to learn how.

Who’s eligible?

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services are covered for patients with one of the following diagnoses:

  • diabetes
  • non-dialysis kidney disease (CKD stages 3a-5), or
  • post-kidney transplant (within 36 months)

How many hours/appointments are covered?

Medicare covers 3 hours of nutrition counseling the initial year of referral and up to 2 hours of nutrition counseling for subsequent years. Hours are based on calendar year and cannot be carried over from year to year. Additional coverage is available in the same calendar year with a second referral when more nutrition counseling is medically necessary.

Do I need a referral?

Yes. Prior to our appointment, please obtain a referral for nutrition counseling from your doctor. Please note that Medicare does not accept referrals for MNT from nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

This referral should include:

  • Your full name and date of birth
  • Your diagnosis code (ICD-10 code)
  • Physician’s full name, NPI number, and signature

Referrals can be faxed to our office at 312-646-4120.

What if I have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan?

From Medicare.gov:

  • Medicare Advantage is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll still have Medicare but you’ll get most of your Part A and Part B coverage from your Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare. 

Medicare Advantage Plans cover nutrition counseling and require a physician referral as described above. MA plans MAY cover additional diagnoses beyond CKD, diabetes, and post-transplant, but this widely varies by plan.

In addition to Original Medicare, Kate accepts BCBS, UHC, and Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Once you have requested a referral from your provider, you may schedule your first appointment via our online booking portal (link below).

How do I prepare for my first appointment?

After scheduling, you’ll receive several items of new patient paperwork to be completed electronically. Please finish and submit your forms at least 24 hours prior to our appointment. Submitting your forms in advance allows your provider to review and prepare to help you during the appointment.

You will also receive an invitation to join our patient portal (Practice Better). You should upload a copy of your insurance card(s) as well as any recent labs into the patient portal. Please do this at least 24 hours prior to our appointment.

Finally, please be sure your referral gets faxed to our office prior to your scheduled appointment.

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