Rural/Urban Disparities in Utilization of Medical Nutrition Therapy to the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population

Abstract

Overview of Key Findings In 2016, 21.8% of the fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare population resided in a rural county, but only 3.7% of enrollees residing in a county with utilization of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services were rural county residents. Utilization of MNT services in 2016 occurred in 92 rural counties and 388 urban counties. Average utilization rates of MNT services were greater in rural counties than urban counties (3.1% vs. 1.9%).