Medicare adds specialty code for nutrition physicians

Clinical takeaway: Physicians can list F7 on their own Medicare enrollment, with an effective date no earlier than Oct 1, 2026. CMS has set no eligibility requirement, though the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics describes F7 as meant for credentialed physician nutrition specialists. 

The list of Medicare specialty codes had no entry for physicians whose focus is nutrition. The National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists, backed by the American Society for Nutrition, says it asked CMS to add one. CMS did so in May, with an instruction to Medicare contractors to add Physician Nutrition Specialist, code F7, to the list starting in October. 

Medicare contractors are required to recognize F7 as a primary or secondary specialty and as valid for ordering, referring, and certifying edits, including hospice certification and certain critical access hospital claims. F7 also joins the home health physician specialty codes. The paper enrollment forms and online enrollment portal haven't been updated, so contractors accept applications marked "Undefined Physician Type" with Physician Nutrition Specialist written in. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which represents dietitians, says the code does not expand benefits or change dietitian reimbursement. 

CMS issued the change May 27, 2026. It applies to dates of service from Oct 1, 2026, with an Oct 5 implementation date. CMS says it will release national provider education on F7 through the Medicare Learning Network Connects newsletter, and contractors are to link to it on their websites. 

"The new CMS specialty code is an important milestone for physicians who have developed advanced expertise in clinical nutrition," said Michael Rothkopf, MD, a board member. "It provides a way to identify Physician Nutrition Specialists within the Medicare system and supports greater recognition of clinical nutrition as an area of specialized physician practice. Physician Nutrition Specialists work closely with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and other health professionals as part of an interprofessional care team to meet patients' nutrition needs." 

Source: CMS (2026 May 27) New Physician Specialty Code for Physician Nutrition Specialist (F7)