Meal Pattern Minute: Writing Medical Statements
July 5, 2024
A child or adult in your care needs to have their meal modified from the Child and Adult Care Food Program menu because of a disability, medical condition or special dietary need. A medical statement should be provided and kept on file at the center or family child care home. However, when receiving a medical statement, can any healthcare professional fill out and sign the medical statement form or are there specific regulations on this?
Get your question answered in under a minute with Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD. She will identify who can sign the medical statement and where you may need to go to find this information for your state.
After watching the video, review the information below to help you further understand the requirements with medical statements.
Need a refresher on what a medical statement is? Go to the Meal Pattern Minute, “What is a Medical Statement?”
The Final Rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) provided an update to the definition of what defines a state licensed healthcare professional (effective date July 1, 2024).
- Defines a state licensed healthcare professional as an individual authorized to write medical prescriptions under state law.
Keep in mind a regulation change is happening in 2025. Currently the guidelines are as follows in the Meal Pattern Minute and regulations provided by USDA. However, by October 1, 2025, registered dietitians in all states may write medical statements to request meal modifications on behalf of participants with disabilities. More guidance will be given by USDA as the date approaches.
- Clarifies that both state licensed healthcare professionals and registered dietitians may write medical statements to request meal modifications on behalf of participants with disabilities.
For further information on changes occurring the CACFP from this final rule, review Implementation Timeline for Updated Nutrition Requirements in CACFP & SFSP.
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