The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced a new Physician Nutrition Specialist designation, specialty code F7, recognizing physicians with advanced clinical nutrition expertise. Effective for dates of service on or after October 1, 2026, the code allows eligible physicians, including gastroenterologists and hepatologists, to identify nutrition specialization as either a primary or secondary specialty in Medicare enrollment and claims systems.
The designation follows a three-year effort by the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists (NBPNS), with support from the American Society for Nutrition. It is intended to improve specialty identification and reduce billing ambiguity for physicians providing specialized nutrition care. However, the code does not establish a new Medicare benefit or guarantee reimbursement for specific services.
NBPNS certification remains a separate, voluntary process. Applicants must hold a medical license and primary specialty board certification, and meet at least two of seven nutrition-expertise criteria. These include mentored clinical nutrition training, hospital nutrition support team experience, or at least 75 hours of nutrition-related continuing medical education.