- Free PDF
- Aetna
- Updated October 2026
What does Aetna pay a dietitian for? The Aetna code sheet
The short answer. 97802 and 97803 per 15-minute unit at your contracted rate, for obesity, overweight with a cardiovascular risk factor, and chronic conditions where diet is part of treatment. Weight-reduction counseling for adults with a BMI of 30 or more is capped at 26 visits per 12 months.
- Every rule links to its sourceThe payer's own policy, so you can check it before a claim goes out.
- Last verified October 22, 2026Every source opened that day.
- Made by a dietitian billing personBy Javier Alvarez, from filing claims for two dietitians.
By Javier Alvarez · Updated · 2 min read
| Codes | 97802, 97803, 97804; G0270, G0271, G0447, G0473, S9470; 99401 to 99412 as related codes |
|---|---|
| Telehealth | No national commercial telemedicine policy is public. Aetna's Texas page asks for POS 02 and modifier 95 (live video) or GT. Check the policy on Availity for your state |
| Visit limits | 26 individual or group weight-reduction counseling visits per 12 months, combined across providers (CPB 0039). Others set by the plan |
| Allowed amount | Your Aetna contract and fee schedule. The policy sets no rate |
| Last verified | October 22, 2026, every source opened that day |
What does Aetna pay a dietitian for?
| Aetna (commercial) | |
|---|---|
| Codes listed | 97802, 97803, 97804; G0270, G0271, G0447, G0473, S9470; 99401 to 99412 as related codes |
| Diagnoses listed | E66.x obesity; E66.3 overweight and Z68.25 to Z68.29 only with a cardiovascular risk factor; Z68.30 to Z68.45; F50.x eating disorders. Diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension and GI disorders are named as covered conditions. Z71.3 and E11.x are not in the coding section |
| Telehealth | No national commercial telemedicine policy is public. Aetna's Texas page asks for POS 02 and modifier 95 (live video) or GT. Check the policy on Availity for your state |
| Units | Per 15 minutes; see the units table below |
| Referral, prior auth | "Some plans require referrals" (CPB 0049). No prior authorization in the policy |
| Visit limits | 26 individual or group weight-reduction counseling visits per 12 months, combined across providers (CPB 0039). Others set by the plan |
| Allowed amount | Your Aetna contract and fee schedule. The policy sets no rate |
| Our paid-claim data | Pending |
Verified on October 22, 2026. Source: Aetna CPB 0049, CPB 0039, Aetna Texas telemedicine. More on the Aetna coverage page.
What is on the Aetna PDF?
The PDF holds only Aetna: its codes, diagnoses, telehealth POS and modifier, units, limits, the date we opened each policy and the link to it. The other five payers have their own sheet, so you print only the one a claim needs. See the sheet for every payer.
How many units does a visit bill?
Short answer: One unit per 15 minutes of face-to-face time, counted from 8 minutes. That is CMS's table for 15-minute timed codes, and the same midpoint rule CPT uses. A commercial contract can count units differently or cap them per visit, and the contract wins.
| Face-to-face minutes | 97802 / 97803 / G0270 units |
|---|---|
| Under 8 | 0 (not billable) |
| 8 to 22 | 1 |
| 23 to 37 | 2 |
| 38 to 52 | 3 |
| 53 to 67 | 4 |
| 68 to 82 | 5 |
Group codes (97804, G0271) are per 30 minutes. The MNT units calculator does the arithmetic for any visit length. Source: CMS Claims Processing Manual, ch. 5 Section 20.2, verified October 22, 2026.
