Academy Advocates for Coverage of Obesity Medications and RDN Services

In response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) request for comments, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics highlighted the valuable role of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in evidence-based care, providing services like medical nutrition therapy (MNT) under Medicare Part B in communities across the country. As stated in the Academy’s comments, “comprehensively addressing obesity is crucial for improving health outcomes and reducing long-term costs for Medicare and Medicaid.”

Additionally, the Academy added its support, along with 70 other organizations, in a public statement supporting obesity medication coverage through the Obesity Care Action Network (OCAN). This organization works to increase access to evidence-based obesity treatments by uniting key stakeholders and the broader obesity community.

For many people living with obesity, access to MNT, intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) or a combination of both, particularly when administered by RDNs, can yield successful outcomes and offer a holistic, patient-centered approach. In certain cases, lifestyle interventions may be the only safe treatment option, and it is critical that these patients can access resources like RDN services to help manage obesity.

The Academy will continue to advocate and work collaboratively with policymakers for the inclusion of evidence-based interventions, such as MNT, to be recognized as essential adjuncts to obesity medications; and remains committed to expanding access to MNT as a covered service under Medicare Part B to support long-term success in obesity management and overall health. The Academy also provided input on insulin cost sharing, supported Part D coverage of obesity medications and proposed changes to Medicare Advantage provider directories.

Read the Academy’s full comments.