Aetna MNT coverage: codes, limits and referrals
The short answerAetna's nutritional counseling policy (CPB 0049) lists 97802, 97803, G0270 and G0271, per 15-minute unit at your contracted rate, for obesity, overweight with a cardiovascular risk factor, eating disorders and chronic conditions where diet is part of treatment. Under Aetna's weight reduction policy (CPB 0039), counseling for adults with a BMI of 30 or more is capped at 26 visits per 12 months. Aetna publishes no national commercial telehealth rule; its state pages set the place of service and modifier.
By Javier Alvarez · Updated · 1 min read
1 row: Aetna. Public policy, not the member's benefits.
Aetna
Commercial · All states
| 97802 | Listed [1] |
|---|---|
| 97803 | Listed [1] |
| G0270 | Listed [1] |
| G0271 | Listed [1] |
| Diagnoses | 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 is not in the coding section. [1] |
| Other codes | 97804, G0447, G0473 and S9470; 99401 to 99412 as related codes. [1] |
| Telehealth POS | Not published: call the payer. |
| Telehealth modifier | Not published: call the payer. |
| Visit limits | Weight-reduction counseling for adults with a BMI of 30 or more: up to 26 individual or group visits per 12 months, combined across providers. No general MNT visit limit in the policy; other limits are set by the plan. [2] |
| Referral and prior auth | "Some plans require referrals." The policy states no prior authorization. [1] |
- Aetna: Clinical Policy Bulletin 0049, Nutritional Counseling (page as shown 2026-10-30), checked October 30, 2026
- Aetna: Clinical Policy Bulletin 0039, Weight Reduction Medications and Programs, checked October 22, 2026
Aetna by state
Where Aetna publishes a state rule that changes the row, the state has its own page:
- Aetna in Texas: In-network Texas providers treating members of fully insured commercial plans subject to Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1455 (in effect since January 1, 2018). Self-funded plans, Medicare and Medicaid are not covered by this page.
Check an Aetna claim against the row
Before an Aetna claim goes out, compare it with the row above: the code is one the policy lists, the place of service and modifier match for a video visit, and the units fit the limit. Change the filters to compare Aetna with another payer, then download the PDF of what you see. More on the Aetna coverage guide and the one-page Aetna code sheet.