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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

Please be advised that we do NOT diagnose medical conditions nor prescribe Rx drugs.  Most

patients come to us with a diagnosis from their physician.  Instead, we evaluate nutritional status

and recommend diet and nutrient therapies.  We do NOT do scratch testing for allergies, nor do

phlebotomy for lab tests.  Instead we order lab tests where allowed by state laws to aid in

nutritional evaluation.  We do NOT treat cancer, nor any emergency medical conditions, nor do any

invasive or medical treatments.  Instead we do nutritional counseling.

WHAT IS “MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY”?

MNT is defined by the AMA medical CPT code book:

“Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is the assessment of nutritional status followed by nutritional

therapy.  The nutrition assessment includes review and analysis of 1) medical, nutrition and

medication histories, 2) physical examination, 3) anthropometric measurements, and 4) laboratory

test values.  Nutrition therapy may include 1) diet modification, 2) counseling and education, 3)

disease self-management skills training, and 4) administration of specialized therapies such as

medical foods, intravenous or tube feedings.”  [American Medical Association, Current Procedural

Terminology code book.]   [Codes: 97802, 97803, 97804.]

WHO MAY PRACTICE MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY?

Maryland and Washington DC regulate MNT by licensing.  Virginia law restricts use of the terms

"nutritionist" and "dietitian" to those who have national certification as "Certified Nutrition

Specialist" or "Registered Dietitian", or who hold a license from another state.  Virginia law does

not yet provide licensing, but instead specifically states it does NOT preclude persons from

providing assessment, evaluation, advice, counseling, information or services that are otherwise

allowed by law.  Federal Medicare Part B regulations classify nutritionists and dietitians as

Specialty Code 71, and mandate that "Nutrition Professionals" and "Registered Dietitians" may be

reimbursed for "Medical Nutrition Therapy" services for diabetes and kidney disease, provided that

they meet established educational standards and specific registration, certification or licensing

standards.

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