Nutrition counseling cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 39 hospitals list a cash price for nutrition counseling (medical nutrition therapy), first visit, 15 minutes: from $14.00 to $323.29, with a median of $22.68. The lowest listed price is at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and 18 other hospitals — $8.68 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $50.27 at 224 hospitals.
- The median here, $22.68, is 57% below the US median of $52.20.
- That is 0.6× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($36.74).
- Houston, TX has the lowest median of 4 metro areas in Texas with at least 10 hospitals pricing this code.
- 8 of 39 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 39 facilities across 14 cities for code 97802, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 1, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 8, 2026.
Lowest$14.00Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital + 18 more
Median$22.68half of hospitals charge less
Highest$323.29in this market
Difference23.1×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $14.00Highest $323.29
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital lowest Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center lowest Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital lowest Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) lowest Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) lowest Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) lowest Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) lowest Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital lowest Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center lowest The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann lowest Houston, TX HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital lowest Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital lowest Bellaire, TX HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital lowest Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital lowest Houston, TX HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center lowest Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital Katy lowest Katy, TX HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MED NUTR THER, 1ST, INDIV, EA 15 MIN File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.00 | $43.75 | — | 68% |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 NUTR THRPY ASMT &INT EA 15 MIN File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $22.68 | $64.80 | $36.01–$117.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC MNT INITIAL EACH 15M File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $22.75 | $65.00 | $17.55–$117.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC MNT INITIAL EACH 15M File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $22.75 | $65.00 | $17.55–$117.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC MNT INITIAL EACH 15M File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $22.75 | $65.00 | $17.55–$117.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC MNT INITIAL EACH 15M File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $22.75 | $65.00 | $17.55–$526.00 | 65% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC MNT INITIAL EACH 15M File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $22.75 | $65.00 | $17.55–$117.03 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC MNT INITIAL EACH 15M File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $22.75 | $65.00 | $17.55–$117.00 | 65% |
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 INIT NUTRITION THX; EA 15M+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $30.72 | $134.22 | $15.54–$1,071.00 | 77% |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC MFM MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY, INITIAL ASSESS, INDVID, FACE TO FACE, EA 15 MIN+8 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $32.16 | $48.00 | $12.96–$45.60 | 33% |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 MED NUTRITION THERAPY INI EA15 File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $33.31 | $95.15 | $14.28–$98.98 | 65% |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 Therapy procedure for nutrition management, each 15 minutes File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $34.56 | $57.60 | $17.28–$57.60 | 40% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC BARIATRIC BHV&DIET 15MIN File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $37.45 | $107.00 | $24.88–$117.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC BARIATRIC BHV&DIET 15MIN File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $37.45 | $107.00 | $24.88–$117.00 | 65% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC BARIATRIC BHV&DIET 15MIN File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $37.45 | $107.00 | $25.93–$117.03 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC BARIATRIC BHV&DIET 15MIN File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $37.45 | $107.00 | $24.88–$117.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC BARIATRIC BHV&DIET 15MIN File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $37.45 | $107.00 | $24.88–$117.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC BARIATRIC BHV&DIET 15MIN File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $37.45 | $107.00 | $25.93–$526.00 | 65% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC MED NUTR OR BARI INDIV INITIAL EA 15MIN - WM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $78.50 | $157.00 | — | 50% |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 MNT INIT ASSESS EA 15MIN+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $92.00 | $92.00 | $5.52–$600.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 Medical nutrition therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutes +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $111.19 | $111.19 | $6.67–$600.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX · (281) 351-7500 Medical nutrition therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutes +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $121.18 | $121.18 | $7.27–$115.91 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 MNT INIT ASSESS EA 15MIN+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $142.44 | $142.44 | $8.55–$121.07 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 Medical nutrition therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutes +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $148.50 | $148.50 | $8.91–$600.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 Medical nutrition therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, face-to-face with the patient, each 15 minutes +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $156.38 | $156.38 | $30.72–$111.76 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 MNT INIT ASSESS EA 15MIN File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $323.29 | $323.29 | $19.40–$600.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Rehabilitation Hospital Southeast Pasadena, TX MNT INIT ASSESS EA 15MIN File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $323.29 | $323.29 | $19.40–$600.00 | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $14.00, median $22.68, highest $323.29 — a 23.1× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 29 facilities here, median $14.00. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 15 of 19 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 1 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What nutrition counseling is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Nutrition counseling explained.