Complex medicalnutritonal therapy according to OPS code 8-98j-a unique feature of the German DRG system

Complex therapies belong to the highly specialized forms of therapy, the contents and conditions for implementation of which are defined in the catalog of operation and procedure codes (OPS). The procedure defined since 2019 with OPS code 8-98j describes the complex medical nutritional therapy (CMNT), which requires a specialist-led nutrition team with at least one nutritional therapy specialist (e.g., dietitian or ecotrophologist) as a mandatory structural feature. Process features include screening of nutritional status within the first 48 h of inpatient admission, body composition determinations, and needs assessments for energy and nutrient requirements. In addition, an individual treatment plan is developed and, if necessary, adjusted during follow-ups. CMNT is suitable for all patients who have a differentiated nutritional problem. The clear structure and process features of this therapy reflect internationally required criteria for quality assurance in nutritional therapy. Implementation of this complex therapy with a uniform financial assessment could provide an additional basis for funding nutritionists in nutrition teams and thus increase the presence and acceptance of nutritional medicine and its services.