Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
Service Standard
MNT Service Standard print version
Subcategories | Service Units |
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Medical Nutrition Therapy - Counseling | Per 15 minutes |
Medical Nutrition Therapy - Supplements (Supplements recommended by someone other than a licensed dietitian should be funded and recorded under Food Pantry/Voucher with Nutritional Supplements.) | Per transaction |
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Description:
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) 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 (OAHS).
Program Guidance:
In the State of Texas, the only allowable nutrition professional recognized for the MNT a licensed Registered Dietitian.
Limitations:
Services must be provided by a Registered Dietitian (RD) or other licensed nutrition professional pursuant to a medical provider’s written referral. Nutritional counseling not provided by an RD may be considered a support service under Psychosocial Support Services. Food provisions and nutritional supplements not provided pursuant to a physician's recommendation and a nutritional plan developed by an RD may be provided under Food Bank/Home-Delivered Meals.
Services:
must be provided by a Registered Dietitian (RD) or other licensed nutrition professional pursuant to a medical provider’s written referral. Nutritional counseling not provided by an RD may be considered a support service under Psychosocial Support Services. Food provisions and nutritional supplements not provided pursuant to a physician's recommendation and a nutritional plan developed by an RD may be provided under Food Bank/Home-Delivered Meals.
Universal Standards:
Services providers for Medical Nutrition Therapy must follow HRSA/DSHS Universal Standards 1-46 and 98-103.
Service Standards and Measures:
The following standards and measures are guides to improving healthcare outcomes for people living with HIV throughout the State of Texas within the Ryan White Part B and State Services Program.
Standard | Measure |
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Referral by Licensed Medical Provider: Activities performed under this service category must be pursuant to a medical provider’s referral. |
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Medical Nutrition Therapy Assessment: An initial MNT assessment will be conducted by an RD pursuant to a medical provider’s referral. A comprehensive nutritional assessment includes the following components: clinical examination (history and physical examination), anthropometric measurements, diagnostic tests, and functional and dietary assessments. |
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Nutrition Plan: A nutritional plan will be developed that is appropriate for the client’s health status, financial status, and individual preference. A Nutritional Plan is completed within 10 business days of Nutrition Assessment and includes, but is not limited to:
The Nutrition Plan will be updated as necessary, but no less than twice per year, and will be shared with the client, the client’s primary care provider, and other authorized personnel involved in the client’s care. |
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Provision of Nutritional Supplements and Food Provisions: Nutritional supplements and food provisions deemed medically necessary may be provided per written orders from a prescribing provider. |
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Discharge: An individual may be discharged from services for but not limited to the following:
The date of discharge, reason, and any recommendations for follow-up shall be documented in the client’s record and provided to the prescribing provider and other multidisciplinary team members as applicable. Note: Staff should not inactivate clients in Take Charge Texas (TCT) at the time of discharge, unless the case is being closed due to a deceased client. |
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References
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition Tips to Keep the Immune System Strong for People with HIV/AIDS, December 2021. Nutrition Tips to Keep the Immune System Strong for People with HIV AIDS (eatright.org)
Division of Metropolitan HIV/AIDS Programs, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB). Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) National Monitoring Standards for RWHAP Part A Recipients. Health Resources and Services Administration, June 2022.
Division of State HIV/AIDS Programs, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB). Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) National Monitoring Standards for RWHAP Part B Recipients. Health Resources and Services Administration, June 2022.
Licensed Dietitian Act. September 2015. OCCUPATIONS CODE CHAPTER 701. DIETITIANS (texas.gov)
National Institute of Health, HIVinfo.gov, HIV and Nutrition, and Food Safety, August 2021. HIV and Nutrition and Food Safety | NIH
National Institute of Health, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Nutritional Assessment, April 2022. Nutritional Assessment - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Policy Notice 16-02: Eligible Individuals & Allowable Uses of Funds. Health Resources & Services Administration, October 2018.