CPT Code 97802: Medical Nutrition Therapy, Initial Assessment

Procedure code 97802 is one of the CPT codes that describe medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services for the initial assessment and intervention individual session. It applies to face-to-face encounters between a registered dietitian or qualified nutrition professional and the individual patient, billed in 15-minute increments.

The key difference between 97802 and CPT code 97803 is that 97802 covers the initial assessment and intervention, while 97803 is used for reassessment and subsequent intervention sessions. The initial session establishes the care plan, whereas follow-ups track progress and make necessary adjustments based on the patient’s medical condition.

The CPT code for nutritional counseling under Medical Nutrition Therapy MNT is typically 97802 for the initial visit, 97803 for follow-up sessions, and 97804 for counseling in a group setting. These codes dietitians use reflect structured medical nutrition interventions, not general dietary advice.