Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTemporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)HCPCS hcpcs-s9470-nutritional-counseling-dietitian-visit
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    HCPCS Level II S9470: Nutritional Counseling, Dietitian Visit

    HCPCS Level II code S9470 describes nutritional counseling, dietitian visit, representing a clinical service where a qualified dietitian or nutritionist provides individualized dietary assessment, counseling, and education; service type: nutritional counseling / medical nutrition therapy; typical site of service: outpatient clinic or ambulatory care setting.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency Transportation, Non-Emergent Transportation Medical Policy, Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfers.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for hcpcs S9470 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing S9470 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    Across national commercial payers BUCA (average commercial) sits near a mid-market position with a mean of $39.5, offering a useful reference point for S9470. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and UnitedHealth Group show higher mean and maximum exposures, with UnitedHealth Group having the highest median-based P75 at $102.40 and BCBS showing a high max of $104.30; Cigna also reaches a high max ($151.90) though its median is lower. Aetna is centered at much lower levels with a mean of $22.10 and a median of $25.00.

    Dispersion measured as P75 minus P25 highlights which payers are tight or wide: Aetna and Cigna are tightest with a range of $0.00 (P75 $25.00 minus P25 $25.00 for Aetna, and P75 $50.00 minus P25 $18.00 for Cigna yields $32.00 actually making Cigna not tight — correct calculation: Aetna range $0.00; Cigna range $32.00). UnitedHealth Group is the widest with a range of $71.20 ($102.40 - $32.00), followed by Blue Cross Blue Shield at $25.40 ($50.40 - $25.00) and BUCA with $29.10 ($54.10 - $25.00).

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 9

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools
    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 48-year-old patient presents to a primary care clinic for routine preventive care and requests dietary guidance after screening identified unintentional weight gain and suboptimal dietary habits. The clinician documents encounter for screening for dietary counseling using diagnosis code Z13.220 and refers the patient to a registered dietitian for a focused nutrition visit billed with HCPCS Level II code S9470 (Nutritional counseling, dietitian visit). The typical workflow: the primary care or family medicine physician (taxonomy 207Q00000X) identifies the need for nutrition counseling during an office visit, places a referral or orders the service; a registered dietitian (133V00000X) or nutritionist (133N00000X) conducts the one-on-one session in an outpatient clinic or ambulatory care setting, documents the assessment of dietary intake, nutrition-related history, relevant labs, individualized counseling, and a plan of care. Documentation includes start/stop time or duration, assessment of readiness to change, specific dietary recommendations, measurable goals, and any follow-up plan. The visit may be delivered in person in an outpatient clinic, community health center, or as an approved telehealth modality when permitted by the payer; claims use S9470 with appropriate place-of-service and any applicable modifiers to reflect telehealth, professional component, or unusual circumstances.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescription

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    33Modifier 33 was created by the American Medical Association in response to the Affordable Care Act to identify services provided for preventive intent. It is appended to CPT/HCPCS codes that could be…- Use modifier -33 when a CPT/HCPCS service that can be billed as either preventive or diagnostic/treatment is provided with preventive intent and aligns with USPSTF A or B recommendations or other…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    93Modifier 93 denotes that a billed service was delivered synchronously via audio-only telecommunications (real-time telephone or other audio-only system). The AMA added modifier 93 in CPT Appendix A…- When to use: Apply modifier -93 when a synchronous, real-time, two-way patient–provider encounter is conducted entirely via audio-only (telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    133V00000X
    133N00000X
    207Q00000X
    261QC1800X
    246ZX2200X
    332100000X
    103TR0400X
    224ZF0002X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    1 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    Z13.220Encounter for screening for lipoid disorders

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency TransportationMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-11-01
    Non-Emergent Transportation Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-11-01
    Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfershap_caresource_mi_coordinated_health2026-11-01
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2152-SOLID-ORGAN-TRANSPLANTATION-GLOBAL-CARE

    HCPCS Level II S2152: Solid Organ Procurement and Transplantation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S2266-INDUCED-ABORTION-29-TO-31-WEEKS

    HCPCS Level II S2266: Induced Abortion, 29 to 31 Weeks

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S3630-EOSINOPHIL-COUNT-BLOOD-DIRECT

    HCPCS Level II S3630: Eosinophil Count, Blood, Direct

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S4017-INCOMPLETE-ART-CYCLE-CANCELLED-PRIOR-TO-STIMULATION

    HCPCS Level II S4017: Incomplete Cycle — Cancelled Prior to Stimulation

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8055-ULTRASOUND-GUIDANCE-MULTIFETAL-REDUCTION-TC

    HCPCS Level II S8055: Ultrasound Guidance for Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S8940-EQUESTRIAN-HIPPOTHERAPY-PER-SESSION

    HCPCS Level II S8940: Equestrian/Hippotherapy, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9024-PARANASAL-SINUS-ULTRASOUND

    HCPCS Level II S9024: Paranasal Sinus Ultrasound

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9366-HOME-TPN-1-2L-PER-DAY-HOME-INFUSION

    HCPCS Level II S9366: Home Infusion TPN, 1–2 L/day

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9446-GROUP-PATIENT-EDUCATION-NON-PHYSICIAN

    HCPCS S9446: Patient Education, Non-Physician Provider, Group, Per Session

    HCPCS-LEVEL-II-S9451-EXERCISE-CLASS-NON-PHYSICIAN-SESSION

    HCPCS S9451: Exercise Classes, Non-Physician Provider, Per Session

    Showing 1–10 of 532

    • More pages

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

    Relationship to This Procedure
    97802Medical nutrition therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutesOften used when medical nutrition therapy meets CPT criteria for an initial assessment by a qualified provider; may be billed in place of or alongside S9470 depending on payer rules.
    97803Medical nutrition therapy; re-assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutesUsed for follow-up nutrition reassessment visits after the initial intervention; documents subsequent progression and plan changes.
    97804Medical nutrition therapy; group (2 or more individuals)Used when counseling is delivered to a group rather than an individual session; alternative to S9470 for group education when payer recognizes this CPT.
    99401Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s), approximately 15 minutesUsed for brief preventive counseling by a clinician; may be billed by the physician when counseling includes broader preventive topics in addition to dietitian visit.
    99402Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s), approximately 30 minutesUsed for longer preventive counseling sessions by the physician; sometimes used in conjunction with or instead of dietitian visit depending on payer policy.