Nutrition CARE Act of 2025

The Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 (S 1971) expands Medicare Part B coverage to include medical nutrition therapy for beneficiaries with eating disorders, starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with eating disorders, including those from historically underserved groups like Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who face significant treatment gaps. The bill amends Medicare law to cover 13 hours of initial medical nutrition therapy (including a 1-hour assessment) and 4 hours annually for ongoing management, provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals following a referral from a physician or psychologist. This change addresses a current gap where Medicare did not cover outpatient medical nutrition therapy for eating disorders, aligning coverage with established treatment guidelines.