Medical Nutrition Therapy Services
For dates of service January 1, 2021, and after, additional benefits are available for medical nutrition therapy services:
- With the implementation of a Participating Dietitian Network on January 1, 2021, medical nutrition therapy can now be billed by an in-network dietitian. Preferred medical doctors and advanced practice providers are also able to continue billing for these services. Services performed by a physician will be reimbursed.
- Licensed registered dietitians must be credentialed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to participate in this network. Once in the network they will be able to file claims for services provided to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama members.
For patients with Affordable Care Act-compliant plans, visit the Preventive Care Services webpage for a list of applicable preventive services along with their diagnoses and procedure codes.
Expanded Medical Nutrition Therapy Benefits
Some groups have expanded benefits for Medical Nutrition Therapy and will include all behavioral health diagnoses, as well as specific medical conditions. Time limitations will be applied to medical conditions only. Limitations will be stated in the members benefits. These benefits are separate from ACA, and it’s important to note that not all groups have ACA benefits. Always check eligibility and benefits to verify if a patient has coverage.
The below CPT/HCPC codes should be utilized for billing purposes.
| CPT/HCPCS Code |
Description |
| 97802 |
Medical Nutrition Therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with patient, each 15 minutes |
| 97803 |
Medical Nutrition Therapy; re-assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with patient, each 15 minutes |
| 97804 |
Medical Nutrition Therapy; group (2 or more individuals), each 30 minutes |
| G0270 |
Medical Nutrition Therapy; re-assessment and subsequent interventions following second referral in same year for change in diagnosis, medical condition or treatment regimen (including additional hours needed for renal disease), individual, face-to-face with patient, each 15 minutes |
| G0271 |
Medical Nutrition Therapy; re-assessment and subsequent interventions following second referral in same year for change in diagnosis, medical condition or treatment regimen (including additional hours needed for renal disease), group (2 or more individuals), each 30 minutes |
| G0446 |
Annual face-to-face intensive behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease, individual, 15 minutes |
| G0447 |
Individual, face-to-face counseling for obesity, 15 minutes |
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