MUSC Nutrition Services : Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)

It is clear that many of the leading causes of death in South Carolina are related to nutrition, and can be prevented or delayed by Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). This service, provided by registered dietitians at the Medical University of SC, involves personalized plans for diet management, nutrition education, weight control, exercise and behavior modification.

What MUSC Physicians Say About Medical Nutrition Therapy:

• "A meal plan and an exercise program are the cornerstone of treatment for people with diabetes." – John A. Colwell, M.D. Ph.D., Professor of Medicine; Director, Diabetes Center
  
• "Meeting the metabolic needs of pediatric endocrine patients is pivotal to successful management of growth and metabolic disorders, diabetes and for normal intellectual and sexual development. In many cases, the care provider sets the direction and the nutritionist provides the therapy." – L. Lyndon Key Jr., M.D., Professor of Pediatrics; Director, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is an outpatient nutrition program that provides patients with the skills they need to manage their disease through healthy eating and lifestyle. MEDICARE recognizes MNT as a cost-effective approach to controlling various disease states.

What disease states are covered?
MNT is reimbursable for Medicare Part B recipients with:

• Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
• Gestational Diabetes
• Non-Dialysis Kidney Disease
• Post renal transplant (6 to 36 months)

Patients must be seen as outpatients and coverage includes 3 hours the 1st year for initial MNT and 2 hours per year in follow-up MNT

For all other disease states, a facility charge is generated for initial and follow-up visits with an outpatient registered dietitian.  Reimbursement varies according to different insurance coverage plans.

What are the benefits of MNT?

• Increased client satisfaction and reduced health care costs
• Reduction in cost of medications
• Decreased hospital admissions and length of hospital stays
• Effective disease management
• Improved quality of life

How are patients scheduled for MNT?

1. Complete a MNT physician referral form. (Forms are available on MUSC’s Intranet & Practice Partner).
2. Contact scheduling for an appointment with an outpatient RD: Adult services: Phone: 843-876-0888 Fax: 843-876-0699

Medical nutrition therapy produces savings for hospitals, physicians, and patients by preventing hospitalizations, shortening hospital stays and decreasing complications. Evidence of other savings includes a decreased need for medicines, surgeries and other costly treatments. According to the American Dietetic Association, an analysis of nearly 2,400 case studies of patients who received medical nutrition therapy showed that on average, $8,000 per patient can be saved.

Cost of Medical Nutrition Therapy

MNT is reimbursable for Medicare Part B recipients with:

• Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
• Gestational Diabetes
• Non-Dialysis Kidney Disease including patients who are status post renal transplant (6 to 36 months)

Patients must be seen as outpatients and coverage includes 3 hours the 1st year for initial MNT and 2 hours per year in follow-up MNT

A facility charge is generated for initial and follow-up visits with an outpatient registered dietitian. Reimbursement varies according to different insurance coverage plans.

Scheduling MNT Appointments
Any patient requiring medical nutrition therapy can be scheduled with an MUSC registered dietitian. To make an appointment for an outpatient nutrition consultation, physicians can call MUSC MEDULINE toll-free at 1-800-922-5250 or 792-2200. Resource representatives will help you identify the appropriate outpatient location for your patient's medical nutrition therapy needs.