BlueCare Tennessee (TennCare) MNT coverage: referrals and who can bill
The short answerBlueCare Tennessee says Medical Nutrition Therapy is a covered benefit when medically necessary and billed under TennCare policy. Dietitians are paid at 85% of the physician rate and bill under their own NPI. The manual lists no MNT codes.
1 row: BlueCare Tennessee · Tennessee. Public policy, not the member's benefits.
BlueCare Tennessee (TennCare)
BlueCare Tennessee Provider Administration Manual · Tennessee
| 97802 | Not published |
|---|---|
| 97803 | Not published |
| G0270 | Not published |
| G0271 | Not published |
| Where it applies | The manual applies to providers who care for BlueCare Tennessee members. Its MNT statement sits in the Obesity Services section. [1] |
| Diagnoses | Not published: call the payer. |
| Telehealth POS | Not published: call the payer. |
| Telehealth modifier | Not published: call the payer. |
| Visit limits | Not published: call the payer. |
| Referral and prior auth | The manual says referral to a Registered Dietitian may be appropriate for patients starting incretin-based weight management therapy, having side effects, or facing nutrition-related barriers. [1] |
| Who can bill | Dietitians and nutritionists must bill with their own NPI. For incident-to services the claim uses the supervising practitioner's NPI and the SA modifier. Credentialing requires a Dietitian/Nutritionist license and accreditation from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. [1] |
| Payment | Effective for dates of service on or after August 15, 2025, BlueCare Tennessee pays advanced practice health care practitioners, a group that includes dietitians and nutritionists, at 85% of the physician rate, based on CMS payment policy. [1] |
| Also | The manual points to its Billing and Reimbursement section and TennCare policy for MNT billing rules. Check TennCare's own policy for codes and limits. [1] |
- BlueCare Tennessee: Provider Administration Manual (H3259_W14_P2_100126v2), checked October 30, 2026
Check a BlueCare Tennessee claim against the row
Before a BlueCare Tennessee (TennCare) 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 BlueCare Tennessee with another payer, then download the PDF of what you see.