Originally Posted: September 28, 2023
Last Updated: April 23, 2026
Code Description
HCPCS code S9470 is described as “nutritional counseling, dietitian visit.”
Understanding Code S9470
S9470 is the original nutrition counseling procedure code as it existed before the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) codes, 97802 and 97803, were introduced. Now that the MNT codes have been around, the S9470 code is used less commonly, and many insurance plans no longer pay for this code.
S9470 is Not Time Based
Note that while CPTⓇ codes 97802 and 97803 are time-based, S9470 is not. No matter how long the visit is, only one unit of S9470 should be billed per date of service.
Some dietitians have reported that they have been paid for multiple units of this code at one visit. However, since it is not a time-based code, it should only ever be billed for 1 unit a visit, no matter the length of time spent with the patient.
Coverage for HCPCS Code S9470
Medicare does not reimburse for HCPCS code S9470. It is covered by some private plans but not all. UnitedHealthcare stopped reimbursing for this code on 4/1/2025.
S9470 Reimbursement
The payment for S9470 can vary quite widely and providers are contractually obligated to not share specific reimbursement amounts. Dietitians have reported getting paid anywhere from the equivalent of less than one 15-minute unit of 97803 to more than four units of 97803.
When to Use S9470
Dietitians should regularly use CPT codes 97802 and 97803 when providing nutrition counseling. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, in their guide to credentialing and billing, discourages the use of this code stating “S codes lack a universally accepted definition for service levels or elements, failing to accurately represent the value of medical nutrition therapy.”
Some organizations may choose to use this code when MNT wasn’t truly provided. For example, a dietitian working at a bariatric office may provide education on a specific topic to a patient after their visit with another provider. Since a full assessment with nutrition diagnoses wasn’t done, and there isn’t necessarily monitoring and evaluation put into place, this isn’t truly MNT. Therefore, some may argue, S9470 may be a more accurate way to bill for this type of service.
In other cases, dietitians may choose to bill S9470 instead of 97803 for shorter follow up appointments for better reimbursement. For example, if a payer reimburses $25 per unit of 97803 and $60 for S9470, it would be advantageous to bill S9470 for visits that are 1-2 units long.
Code S9470 should never be billed along with 97802 or 97803 for the same visit, as this would be overbilling.
References:
RDN’s Complete Guide to Credentialing and Billing: The Private Payer Market