As part of the health care team, registered dietitians at Mon General provide Medical Nutrition Therapy to patients during their hospitalization. Medical Nutrition Therapy is an individual plan promoting healthy eating choices to meet the individual's nutritional needs and medical condition. Proper nutrition can improve an individual's overall health and quality of life.

Eating well is important in preventing and/or managing many diseases.  Mon General Hospital offers outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).  These services provide individualized nutrition education that assists our patients in meeting their nutritional needs and manage their medical conditions.

The registered dietitians at Mon General have completed an accredited 4-year educational program with over 900 hours of supervised practice, and have passed a national exam. Our registered dietitians are also licensed in the state of West Virginia. Through professional development, the dietitians continue to explore nutrition by meeting standards for continuing education requirements and obtaining certificates of training. Our outpatient dietitian and the program coordinator each completed her CDR Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management - May 2003.

Medical Nutrition Therapy is provided to our patients who are admitted into the hospital.   Outpatients are referred to us by physicians or other providers, and through community programs.  Medicare and many insurance companies now reimburse patients for an outpatient visit with the dietitian for Medical Nutrition Therapy. Many individuals seek assistance from the dietitian to assist them to manage their diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, or obesity.

Outpatient MNT is provided to anyone referred by their physician.  Many insurance companies are reimbursing for MNT services for multiple diagnosis such as:

• Diabetes
• Celiac Disease
• GI issues (IBS)
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol

Insurance companies are also beginning to provide MNT services for preventive care such as pre-diabetes. 

Current Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy Reimbursement:

• Medicare: Diagnosis of diabetes and renal failure only.
• PEIA: Will cover two in-network visits each plan year for the following diagnosis: diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome and other medically necessary conditions. They will also cover in-network visits for children who are greater than or equal to the 95th percentile on the growth chart for weight or children greater than or equal to the 85th percentile with complicating conditions.  
• Meritain Insurance: Will pay for two visits per year for the following conditions: diabetes, pre-diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes, hypertension, cardiac diagnosis other than hypertension, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, coronary heart disease, morbid obesity, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and impaired renal failure.  
• Other Medical Insurance Companies: MNT services paid vary with your individual plan.

All Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy sessions are held in the Ruby McQuain Conference Center at Mon General Hospital.  See the Conference Center entrance on the right side of our Parking & Accessibility Map.

For questions regarding your diet or meal plan, contact the Diabetes Learning Center: 304-598-0763.