Parenteral and Enteral Therapy
Medicare covers enteral nutrients, supplies and equipment if the patient is unable to digest or carry food to the small bowel to maintain weight and strength. This must be a condition that is determined by the treating doctor to be permanent. Enteral therapy is covered for patients who cannot swallow or take food orally. Nutrition must be delivered through a tube directly into the gastrointestinal tract and may be given by a syringe, gravity, or a pump.
Medicare covers parenteral nutrition only when the patient is unsuccessful using enteral nutrition. Parenteral nutrition, administered through an intravenous line into the bloodstream, is given to an individual whose gastrointestinal tract is unable to process food normally, a result of either the patient's gastrointestinal tract imissing or not functioning. This must be a condition that is determined by the treating doctor to be permanent.
Medicare will not pay for nutritional formulas that are taken orally.
An order (prescription) must be on file with the supplier. It must be signed and dated by the treating doctor.
Also, a DIF form, completed by the supplier, must be on file.
