The Nutrition CARE Act would expand Medicare coverage to include nutrition counseling services specifically for people with eating disorders. Right now, Medicare doesn't consistently cover these services, but this bill would change that by requiring Medicare to pay for medical nutrition therapy—essentially professional dietary advice and treatment—when someone has an eating disorder. To get this coverage, a patient would need a referral from their doctor, psychologist, or another mental health professional, and the actual counseling would have to be provided by a registered dietitian or qualified nutrition specialist. This matters because eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that often require specialized nutritional support alongside other treatment, and many people currently can't afford this care without insurance coverage. By adding this to Medicare, the bill would help seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries access the nutrition expertise they need to recover from conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

Nutrition CARE Act of 2023

Hassan, Margaret Wood

Nutrition Counseling Aiding Recovery for Eating Disorders Act of 2023 or the Nutrition CARE Act of 2023 This 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.