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Good Nutrition, Covered: How South Carolina Older Adults Can See a Dietitian Through Insurance

Eating well isn’t just about food—it’s about freedom, energy, and staying in control of your health as you age. In South Carolina, more than 60% of adults age 65 and older live with two or more chronic conditions, making nutrition a powerful (and often underused) tool for better health.

That’s where Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) come in. RDNs provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to help manage chronic disease, support recovery, and improve quality of life. And the good news? Many older adults can access these services at little or no cost through Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or community programs.

This article explains how older adults in South Carolina can get connected to nutrition experts — and start feeling better, one bite at a time.

 

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

RDN are food and nutrition experts who use evidence-based guidance to help prevent or manage health condition2. They: 

  • Assess your medical history, lifestyle, and dietary habits.
  • Create personalized nutrition plans for managing chronic or acute conditions.
  • Collaborate with doctors and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care.
  • Teach practical strategies for healthy eating, portion control, and meal planning.

Seeing a Dietitian Through Medicare3

Medicare provides health coverage for people age 65 and older and for certain individuals under the age of 65 with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Eligibility for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Through Medicare Part B:

  • Diabetes
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Kidney transplant within the last 36 months

A referral from your doctor is required.

What Medicare Covers

  • Initial assessment and lifestyle evaluation
  • Individual or group nutrition therapy sessions
  • Help managing the lifestyle factors that affect your diabetes
  • Follow-up visits to monitor progress

Coverage limits:

  • First year: Up to 3 hours of MNT (cannot carry over to the next year)
  • Subsequent years: Up to 2 hours of follow-up MNT
  • Extra hours may be approved with a doctor’s referral if your condition changes

Cost: There is no cost for eligible participants.

Medicaid in South Carolina4

Healthy Connections Medicaid offers health coverage for eligible South Carolinians, including older adults.

Who May Qualify

  • Adults 65 and older
  • People with disabilities or limited income
  • Children, pregnant women, and other eligible groups

Check eligibility: SCDHHS Program Eligibility

Nutrition Counseling Coverage

  • Covered for full-benefit Medicaid members with chronic, acute, or episodic conditions where nutrition therapy is critical
  • Conditions may include:
    • Obesity
    • Eating disorders
    • Inappropriate growth or metabolic disorders
    • Genetic conditions affecting growth or feeding
    • Metabolic syndrome
    • Acute burns

Coverage limits: Up to 12 hours of initial, reassessment, and group nutrition therapy per state fiscal year per member.

Private Insurance5

The coverage of conditions varies by plans, often covering chronic diseases. A referral from a medical professional is typically required for insurance to cover specific services.

Common Private Insurance Coverage Scenarios

  • Full Coverage
    • What’s covered: All nutrition services by RDN
    • Typical requirements: doctor referral, in-network provider
  • Condition-Specific
    • What’s covered: Nutrition therapy for diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and eating disorders
    • Typical requirements: medical diagnosis, prior authorization
  • Preventive Only
    • What’s covered: Annual nutrition counseling for at-risk individuals
    • Typical requirements: No copay under ACA, may need risk factor documentation
  • Limited Visits
    • What’s covered: Set the number of visits per year or lifetime
    • Typical requirements: varies by plan (often 3-6 visits annually)

How to Get Started

  1. Talk to your doctor about your health goals and request a referral to a dietitian.
  2. Check with your insurance provider to understand coverage for RDN services.
    1. State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counseling provides free, unbiased help to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Trained counselors offer one-on-one assistance with Medicare coverage, plan options, enrollment, and problem-solving. Contact your designated Area Agency on Aging to inquire about the SHIP program and RDN insurance coverage. GetCareSC Area Agencies on Aging
  3. Find a local RDN in South Carolina:

Conclusion

Accessing a registered dietitian can help you manage chronic conditions, improve energy, and maintain independence. Whether through Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or community programs, older adults in South Carolina have multiple ways to get the nutrition guidance they need. Taking that first step, through your doctor, insurance provider, or community resources, can lead to better health and a higher quality of life.

This article was written by Alexandria Dow, Winthrop University Dietetic Intern, in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH).


 

 

References

1. Live Healthy South Carolina D. Healthy aging South Carolina..

2. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Working with RDNs. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website. https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/our-members/working-with-rdns. Accessed Oct 6, 2025.

3. Medical nutrition therapy servicesMedicare.gov website. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/medical-nutrition-therapy-services. Accessed Oct 17, 2025.

4. Healthy Connections Medicaid. Nutritional counseling services benefits update. South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website. https://www.scdhhs.gov/communications/nutritional-counseling-services-benefits-update. Updated 2023. Accessed Oct 17, 2025.

5. PhD DLV, RD. Does insurance cover nutritionists? 2025 guide. 2019. https://www.nutritioned.org/insurance-cover-nutritionists/. Accessed Oct 17, 2025.

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