Skip to main content

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical Nutrition Therapy

HRSA Service Definition

Medical Nutrition Therapy includes:

  • Nutrition assessment and screening
  • Dietary/nutritional evaluation
  • Food and/or nutritional supplements per medical provider’s recommendation
  • Nutrition education and/or counseling

These services can be provided in individual and/or group settings and outside of HIV Outpatient/Ambulatory Health Services.

Program Guidance:

All services performed under this service category must be pursuant to a medical provider’s referral and based on a nutritional plan developed by the registered dietitian or other licensed nutrition professional. Services not provided by a registered/licensed dietician should be considered Psychosocial Support Services under the RWHAP.

See also:

Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals

Number of Clients Served, Units Provided, Expenditures, Allocation, and Over/Under-spending

Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Medical Nutrition Clients 328 382 416 347 362 367 368
Medical Nutrition Units 611 733 868 683 687 957 2,415
Medical Nutrition Dollars $54,160 $58,806 $59,609 $59,612 $56,913 $59,588 $66,027
Allocated Dollars $59,946 $60,531 $59,611 $59,612 $59,612 $59,588 $66,027
Over/ Underspending $4,786 under $1,725 under $2 under $0 $2,699 $0 $0

Funding by Part, and info on any other payers

Total Part A Funds (Formula + Supp.) MAI Total Part B Funds (Formula + Supp. NJ) Total Part B Funds (Formula + Supp. PA) Total Part C EIS Funds (State & Local) Total Part D Funds (State & Local) Total Part F Funds
Last Year Allocation $66,027
Current Allocation $75,718

Consumer survey info 2017 n=392

n Used in the last 12 months Needed but did not get (last 12 months)
Medical Nutrition Therapy 157 75.2% 24.8%

Community Survey 2022 Service Responses n=236

I never personally needed this service I needed this service and received it I needed but did not get this service I never heard of this service
Medical Nutrition Therapy 29.66% 30.51% 6.78% 4.66%

Unmet need

For the purposes of this document, need is based on the response of a consumer when asked if there was a service they needed. MMP interviews patients in care and asks consumers if they need a service and if they receive it. Client services unit data identifies needs at the time of initial intake.

2015-18 MMP Percent with a Need 2021 Client Services Unit Need at Intake
Medical Nutrition Therapy - 2.7%

Recipient Service Considerations

Medical Nutrition Therapy

1 (0.3%) more client received Nutrition Therapy between FY21 and FY22, whereas service units increased by 1,458 (152.4%). Expenditures increased accordingly, with an increase of 12.7%.

The cost per unit of service declined from $61.22 to $27.34 (-55.3%).

In-person medical nutrition services has increased. Moreover, the unit definition changed from 1-hour sessions to 15-minute increments.