How To Use CPT Code 76705

CPT 76705 is a limited abdominal ultrasound code used for assessing single organs, quadrants, or follow-ups. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 76705 procedures.

1. What is CPT 76705?

CPT 76705 is a code used for limited abdominal ultrasounds, which are noninvasive procedures that assess specific body parts within the abdomen, such as a single organ, quadrant, or follow-up examinations. This code requires real-time image documentation and is used by medical coders and billers to accurately report and bill for these specific ultrasound services.

2. 76705 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 76705 is: “Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; limited (eg, single organ, quadrant, follow-up)”.

3. Procedure

The 76705 CPT code procedure involves the following steps:

  1. The patient is positioned comfortably on the examination table.
  2. The physician or ultrasound technician applies conductive gel on the skin over the specific abdominal area to be examined, which helps in the transmission of sound waves.
  3. An ultrasound machine sends high-frequency sound waves through a probe called a transducer.
  4. The transducer is pressed against the skin and moved over the area being studied to produce an image of the specific organ or quadrant on the monitor.
  5. The patient may be asked to hold their breath during the examination to obtain clear images.
  6. Real-time images are documented for further analysis and reporting.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients who are eligible to receive CPT code 76705 services include those who require a limited examination of a single organ, quadrant, or follow-up assessment within the abdomen. This may be due to symptoms, clinical findings, or a history of a specific condition that warrants further evaluation. Examples of qualifying circumstances include abdominal pain, suspected gallstones, or follow-up on a previously identified abnormality.

5. When to use CPT code 76705

It is appropriate to bill the 76705 CPT code when a limited abdominal ultrasound is performed to examine a single organ, quadrant, or for follow-up purposes. This code should not be used for complete abdominal ultrasounds, which require a more comprehensive examination of multiple organs and structures within the abdomen. In such cases, CPT code 76700 should be used instead.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 76705, the following information should be documented:

  • Patient’s medical history and presenting symptoms or clinical findings that justify the need for a limited abdominal ultrasound.
  • Specific organ or quadrant examined, and the reason for the limited examination.
  • Real-time images obtained during the procedure, along with any measurements or annotations.
  • Findings and impressions from the ultrasound examination, including any identified abnormalities or follow-up recommendations.
  • Physician’s or ultrasound technician’s signature and date of service.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 76705, it is important to follow these guidelines:

  • Append modifier 26 to the radiology code if reporting only the physician’s interpretation for the radiology service.
  • Append modifier TC to the radiology code if reporting only the technical component for the radiology service. Note that payer policy may exempt hospitals from appending modifier TC because the hospital’s portion is inherently technical.
  • Do not append a professional or technical modifier to the radiology code when reporting a global service in which one provider renders both the professional and technical components.

8. Historical information

CPT 76705 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code has undergone two changes since its addition:

  • On January 1, 2002, the descriptor was changed from “Echography, abdominal, B-scan and/or real time with image documentation; limited (eg, single organ, quadrant, follow-up)” to “Ultrasound, abdominal, B-scan and/or real time with image documentation; limited (eg, single organ, quadrant, follow-up)”.
  • On January 1, 2007, the descriptor was updated to its current form: “Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; limited (eg, single organ, quadrant, follow-up)”.

9. Similar codes to CPT 76705

Five similar codes to CPT 76705 and how they differentiate are:

  • CPT 76700: Used for complete abdominal ultrasounds, which involve a comprehensive examination of multiple organs and structures within the abdomen.
  • CPT 76770: Used for complete retroperitoneal ultrasounds, which focus on the kidneys, abdominal aorta, and other retroperitoneal structures.
  • CPT 76775: Used for limited retroperitoneal ultrasounds, which involve a focused examination of a single organ or structure within the retroperitoneal space.
  • CPT 76856: Used for complete pelvic ultrasounds, which involve a comprehensive examination of the pelvic organs and structures.
  • CPT 76857: Used for limited pelvic ultrasounds, which involve a focused examination of a single organ or structure within the pelvis.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 76705 procedures:

  1. Ultrasound examination of the right upper quadrant to evaluate for gallstones in a patient presenting with right upper quadrant pain.
  2. Follow-up ultrasound of a previously identified liver lesion to assess for changes in size or appearance.
  3. Ultrasound examination of the left lower quadrant in a patient with suspected diverticulitis.
  4. Ultrasound examination of the right lower quadrant in a patient with suspected appendicitis.
  5. Follow-up ultrasound of a known pancreatic cyst to monitor for changes in size or appearance.
  6. Ultrasound examination of the spleen in a patient with a history of splenomegaly.
  7. Ultrasound examination of the left upper quadrant in a patient with suspected renal colic.
  8. Follow-up ultrasound of a known abdominal aortic aneurysm to monitor for changes in size or appearance.
  9. Ultrasound examination of the right lower quadrant in a pregnant patient with suspected ectopic pregnancy.
  10. Ultrasound examination of the left upper quadrant in a patient with a history of portal hypertension and suspected splenic vein thrombosis.

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