The theme for National Nutrition Month® (NNM) 2013 is "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day". National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association (AA). The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

 

To learn more about NNM and to access promotional materials and event ideas, please go to its website, http://www.eatright.org/nnm/

 

 

 

More than 16.8-million Americans, 65 years or older, are diagnosed with diabetes or renal disease.  Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) that is provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional may result in improved diabetes and renal disease management, along with other health outcomes that may help delay these diseases.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reminds healthcare professionals that March is National Nutrition Month®, focusing on the importance of making informed food choices, developing sound eating and physical activity habits in order to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve good health.

 

Medicare Coverage – Medicare provides MNT-coverage for beneficiaries diagnosed with diabetes and/or renal disease (except for those receiving dialysis) and post-renal transplant when referred by the treating physician and provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional.  (The treating physician must indicate a diagnosis of diabetes or renal disease in order to receive this benefit.) 

 

What Can You Do? – CMS needs your help to ensure that all eligible people with Medicare take full advantage of the MNT benefit.  MNT provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional can be an integral component of diabetes and renal disease management, which may result in improved health outcomes and delay in disease progression.  Talk with your eligible Medicare patients about the benefits of managing diabetes and renal disease through MNT.  As the treating physician, provide a written referral and encourage them to make an appointment with a registered dietitian or nutrition professional.