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DOES MEDICARE COVER OTHER PROGRAMS WITH NUTRITION BENEFITS? Yes. Part B covers nutrition-related services for people with health conditions such as diabetes or obesity, including: DIABETES

SELF-MANAGEMENT TRAINING. Consisting of one hour of individual training followed by up to nine hours of group training, this program helps those diagnosed with diabetes learn to monitor

their blood sugar, follow tips for eating healthy and physical activity, manage prescriptions and reduce their risks. Afterward, you get two hours of follow-up training each year. You must

have a written order from your doctor or other health care provider and can be eligible for both diabetes self-management training and Medicare nutrition therapy, but they can’t be billed on

the same date. Once you meet the Part B deductible, you’ll pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the training program. MEDICARE DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM. This yearlong

diabetes prevention program helps people with prediabetes avoid or delay developing the disease. A coach works with you to increase your level of exercise, change your diet and help you

control your weight. To qualify, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, 23 or higher for someone of Asian descent, and meet certain blood sugar test requirements. The

preventive benefit isn’t subject to the Part B deductible or 20 percent coinsurance. WEIGHT-LOSS COUNSELING. Medicare Part B also covers weight-loss counseling by a primary care provider to

help you lose weight through diet and exercise. The program includes an initial obesity screening, dietary assessment and behavioral therapy. To qualify, you must have a BMI of 30 or higher.

It too is considered a free preventive benefit. KEEP IN MIND Private Medicare Advantage plans must offer the same coverage as Medicare Part B, including nutrition counseling programs. You

may find some plans with additional benefits, including: HEALTHY FOODS BENEFIT, also called a grocery allowance, that gives people with certain chronic conditions extra money, usually

through a flex card, to buy healthy food and produce on a monthly or quarterly basis. KFF, formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation, reports that 13.9. percent of regular Medicare Advantage

plans and 60 percent of special needs plans offer food and produce benefits in 2024. MEAL DELIVERY. KFF also reports that 72 percent of regular Medicare Advantage plans and 75 percent of

special needs plans offer meal delivery benefits in 2024. These are usually available for up to four weeks immediately after an inpatient hospital or skilled nursing facility stay. Unlike

the healthy foods benefit, meal deliveries aren’t limited to people with chronic conditions. Return to Medicare Q&A main page