Advocating for Expanded Access and Competitive Payment for Services Provided by RDNs

July 7, 2023 — The Academy continues to advocate for expanded access and competitive payment for RDN-provided services in state Medicaid programs.

The Academy strongly urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to utilize its regulatory authority where possible to clarify benefit and coverage design as it relates to medical nutrition therapy services — specifically, providing guidance that distinguishes medical nutrition therapy from simple nutrition counseling and wellness services, as well as identifying provider types that are best equipped to deliver MNT.

For state Medicaid programs that credential RDNs, payment rates are severely low which serves as a deterrent for licensed dietitians to enroll in the program as providers. The Academy supported CMS’ proposal to improve transparency of payment rates and also reminded CMS that transparency alone does not translate into expansion of coverage or ensure increased access to care. It is critical that CMS continues to take steps that ensure fair and competitive pay for providers, which will ultimately lead to better access to care for beneficiaries.

The Academy supported CMS initiatives as they related to home-based community services and the utilization of waivers to improve access to food-based programs, such as produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals. The Academy also urged CMS to ensure that definitive language is included in policies that address both the food component of these services and the professional clinical services that support these programs as interventions/treatment for chronic disease.

Read the Academy's full comments here.