G0447 with TRICARE: what the policy says
The short answerTRICARE East lists G0447. It covers intensive obesity counseling for adults with BMI 30 or more and children over the 95th percentile, 12 to 26 sessions a year, by a TRICARE-authorized provider. West's policy key does not list the code.
By Javier Alvarez · Updated · 2 min read
1 row: TRICARE. Public policy, not the member's benefits.
TRICARE
TRICARE East and West · All states
| 97802 | Listed [1][2] |
|---|---|
| 97803 | Listed [1][2] |
| G0270 | Listed [1][2] |
| G0271 | Listed [1][2] |
| Diagnoses | East policy: obesity (BMI 30 or more in adults, 95th percentile in children), diabetes, renal disease, cardiovascular risk factors, medically necessary foods, ketogenic diet for epilepsy, eating disorders and cystic fibrosis. Counseling for general wellness is not covered. [1][3] |
| Other codes | 97804, G0447, G0473 and S9470. [1][2] |
| Telehealth POS | Not published: call the payer. |
| Telehealth modifier | Not published: call the payer. |
| Visit limits | Diabetes and renal disease: 3 hours the first year, 2 hours after, more case by case. Obesity interventions: 12 to 26 sessions a year. [1][2] |
| Referral and prior auth | Not published: call the payer. |
| Who can bill | A TRICARE-authorized registered dietitian, licensed in the state, under a supervising physician. [1][3] |
- Humana Military (TRICARE East): MP21-003E Nutritional Counseling (revised 04/24/2024), checked October 30, 2026
- TriWest (TRICARE West): Policy Key Nutrition Counseling Services (revised 6/30/2026), checked October 30, 2026
- TRICARE: Nutritionist or Dietitian Services (covered services), checked September 28, 2026
What TRICARE's policy says about G0447
G0447 is the HCPCS code for face-to-face behavioral counseling for obesity, 15 minutes. At TRICARE it is listed: named in the payer's public policy. Each line below is from TRICARE's own text:
- Where it is listed. Listed in the coding information of Humana Military (East) policy MP21-003E. West's CODES section names only CPT 97802-97804. (Humana Military (TRICARE East), checked October 30, 2026; TriWest (TRICARE West), checked October 30, 2026)
- When it pays. Adults with BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more, children and adolescents with BMI above the 95th percentile. Weight management programs not meeting the intensive, multicomponent criteria are not covered (West). (Humana Military (TRICARE East), checked October 30, 2026; TriWest (TRICARE West), checked October 30, 2026)
- How often. 12 to 26 sessions in a year. (Humana Military (TRICARE East), checked October 30, 2026; TriWest (TRICARE West), checked October 30, 2026)
- Who can bill it. Rendered by a TRICARE authorized provider. (Humana Military (TRICARE East), checked October 30, 2026)
- Also. Behavioral management activities named: weight-loss goals, diet and physical activity guidance, barriers, self-monitoring and maintenance strategies. (Humana Military (TRICARE East), checked October 30, 2026)
G0447 at other payers
- G0447 with BCBS of IL, TX, OK and NM (HCSC): limited.
- G0447 with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts: listed.
- G0447 with Premera Blue Cross: listed.
- G0447 with UnitedHealthcare: listed.
- G0447 with Cigna: listed.
- G0447 with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield: listed.
- G0447 with Medicare: limited.
The rest of TRICARE's MNT rules
The TRICARE row has its codes, telehealth rule, limits and referrals, each with its source. Other codes we checked at TRICARE: G0108. What G0447 means at any payer is on the G0447 code page. Before the claim goes out, compare it with the row in the table above, then download the PDF of what you see.