South Carolina Medicaid MNT coverage: codes, telehealth and limits
The short answerSouth Carolina Medicaid pays registered dietitians for MNT (97802, 97803, 97804) for full-benefit members with obesity or an eating disorder, when a physician prescribes or refers. The cap is 12 hours per state fiscal year. Telehealth is allowed with the GT modifier. Fee schedule: 97802 $26.50, 97803 $23.05 per unit (7/1/2026).
By Javier Alvarez · Updated · 1 min read
1 row: Medicaid (by state) · South Carolina. Public policy, not the member's benefits.
South Carolina Medicaid
Medicaid (SCDHHS Bulletin MB# 23-060, Healthy Connections) · South Carolina
| 97802 | Listed (up to 4 units per same provider, location or billing entity.) [1][2] |
|---|---|
| 97803 | Listed (up to 12 units per month, 4 per visit, 7 calendar days between visits.) [1][2] |
| G0270 | Not published |
| G0271 | Not published |
| Where it applies | Full-benefit Healthy Connections Medicaid members, for dates of service on or after Jan. 1, 2024. [1] |
| Diagnoses | A diagnosis of obesity or eating disorders, when there is a chronic, episodic or acute condition for which nutrition therapy is a critical component of medical management. A fuller condition list sits in the Physician Services manual policy. [1] |
| Other codes | 97804 (group, each 30-minute unit): one unit per date of service, up to four units per month, group size two to eight, 7 days between visits. [1] |
| Telehealth POS | Not published: call the payer. |
| Telehealth modifier | GT modifier. Telehealth visits count toward the 12 hours and pay at the same rate as in person for the same provider type. [1] |
| Visit limits | 12 hours of combined initial, re-assessment and group MNT per member per state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). [1] |
| Referral and prior auth | Dietitian services must be prescribed or referred by a physician. [1] |
| Who can bill | Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and registered dietitians. Services performed by dietitians must be prescribed or referred by a physician. [1] |
| Payment | Rate publication effective 7/1/2026 for the Dietitian provider type: 97802 $26.50; 97803 $23.05; 97804 $12.29 (per unit). [2] |
| Managed care plans | SCDHHS says its Medicaid managed care organizations are responsible for coverage and reimbursement of these services for members enrolled in an MCO. [1] |
Check a Medicaid claim against the row
Before a South Carolina Medicaid 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 Medicaid with another payer, then download the PDF of what you see.