Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-6971
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]
Introduced: 2020-05-22
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Digestive and metabolic diseases

HIV/AIDS

Health care coverage and access

Health promotion and preventive care

Medicare

Nutrition and diet
Latest action: action_date: 2020-05-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-05-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2020</b></p> <p>This bill expands Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services. </p> <p>Currently, Medicare covers such services for individuals with diabetes or kidney disease under certain circumstances; such services must also be provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a physician referral. The bill extends coverage to individuals with other diseases and conditions, including obesity, eating disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS; such services may also be referred by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or (for eating disorders) a clinical psychologist.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6971 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2020 Mr. Engel (for himself and Mr. King of New York ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of medical nutrition therapy services under the Medicare program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2020 . 2. Expanding the availability of medical nutrition therapy services under the Medicare program (a) In general Section 1861 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x ) is amended— (1) in subsection (s)(2)(V), by striking in the case of and all that follows through organizations ; and (2) in subsection (vv)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking disease management and inserting the prevention, management, or treatment of a disease or condition specified in paragraph (4) ; (ii) by inserting or by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as such terms are defined in subsection (aa)(5)), or, in the case of such services furnished to manage such a disease or condition that is an eating disorder, by a clinical psychologist (as defined by the Secretary) before the period at the end; and (iii) by adding at the end the following new sentence: Such term shall not include any such services furnished to an individual for the prevention, management, or treatment of a renal disease if such individual is receiving maintenance dialysis for which payment is made under section 1881. ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) For purposes of paragraph (1), the diseases and conditions specified in this paragraph are the following: (A) Diabetes and prediabetes. (B) A renal disease. (C) Obesity (as defined for purposes of subsection (yy)(2)(C) or as otherwise defined by the Secretary). (D) Hypertension. (E) Dyslipidemia. (F) Malnutrition. (G) Eating disorders. (H) Cancer. (I) Celiac disease. (J) HIV. (K) AIDS. (L) Any other disease or condition— (i) specified by the Secretary relating to unintentional weight loss; (ii) for which the Secretary determines the services described in paragraph (1) to be medically necessary and appropriate for the prevention, management, or treatment of such disease or condition, consistent with any applicable recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force; or (iii) for which the Secretary determines the services described in paragraph (1) are medically necessary, consistent with either protocols established by registered dietitians or nutrition professional organizations or with accepted clinical guidelines identified by the Secretary. . (b) Exclusion modification Section 1862(a)(1) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (O), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (P), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting , and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (Q) in the case of medical nutrition therapy services (as defined in section 1861(vv)), which are not furnished for the prevention, management, or treatment of a disease or condition specified in paragraph (4) of such section; . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2021.