Short-Term Cost-Savings MNT Outcomes
Collection Project 2000

This past week, Illinois Dietetic Association's reimbursement team members received long anticipated results from their Cost-Savings MNT Outcomes Study. The study sought to determine cost-savings and cost-prevention resulting from medical nutrition therapy, realized within two years of the initial MNT visit provided by a registered dietitian. The results, based on year 2000 figures, show that applying MNT can have the following impact and
average cost- savings per patient:

* reduction or discontinuation of prescription medication- $1,052
* reduction in laboratory, other tests- $654
* reduction in physician office visits- $505
* reduction in number of inpatient hospitalizations- $4,960
* reduction in emergency room visits- $2,400

The study also demonstrated that MNT can help reduce inpatient hospitalization, inpatient treatment, surgery and tube feeding saving insurers, employers or third-party payers $19,305 per patient. Furthermore, the range of dollars saved when coupling cost-savings with cost-prevention stems is $220 and reaches to $70,420.

This IDA initiative was made possible by a grant awarded through ADA's State Government Relations Team, last year. It has allowed this group of RDs to take the first step in their negotiations with local health plan decision-makers. Unlike other studies that have examined long-term outcomes of MNT, this study powerfully describes the financial and health impacts of MNT over just one year. With a continued focus on documenting MNT patient outcomes, dietitians can build a stronger case for nationwide coverage of MNT.

For further information, contact IDA's Reimbursement Committee Chair Mary Ann Hodorowicz, RD, LD, MBA, Committee Chair at: hodorowicz@aol.com.