# Understanding the Nutrition CARE Act of 2025

This bill makes Medicare pay for nutrition counseling services specifically designed to help people recover from eating disorders. Right now, Medicare doesn't cover these services, which means people struggling with conditions like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder have to pay out of pocket for professional nutrition help—if they can afford it at all. The new law would change that by allowing Medicare to cover the cost of working with registered dietitians and nutrition professionals who specialize in eating disorder recovery.

Here's how it would work in practice: If you're on Medicare and have an eating disorder, your doctor, psychologist, or other mental health professional would refer you to a registered dietitian. That dietitian could then help you develop healthy eating patterns, address nutritional deficiencies caused by the disorder, and support your overall recovery. Medicare would cover these sessions, just like it covers other medical treatments. This removes a major financial barrier for older adults and people with disabilities on Medicare who need this specialized care.

The practical impact is significant because eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that often require a team approach to treat effectively. Having nutrition counseling covered by Medicare means people won't have to choose between affording this care and paying for other necessities. It also encourages people to seek help earlier, since cost won't be such a major obstacle. For the roughly 45 million Americans on Medicare, this could be life-changing if they or their loved ones are struggling with an eating disorder.

Nutrition CARE Act of 2025

Chu, Judy

Nutrition Counseling Aiding Recovery for Eating Disorders Act of 2025&nbsp;or the Nutrition CARE Act of 2025This bill provides for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for individuals with eating disorders. Such services must be furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a referral from a physician, psychologist, or other authorized mental health professional.