How To Use CPT Code 76942

CPT 76942 describes the use of ultrasonic guidance for needle placement during procedures such as biopsies, aspirations, injections, and placement of localization devices. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 76942?

CPT 76942 can be used to report the use of ultrasonic guidance for needle placement during various procedures. This code is specifically used when a physician utilizes ultrasonography to visualize internal organs and guide the placement of a needle for procedures such as biopsies, aspirations, injections, or placement of localization devices. Ultrasonography uses sound waves of higher frequencies to capture images of different types of tissues in the body. By using ultrasonic guidance, the physician can accurately place the needle in the targeted region without causing damage to surrounding tissues.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 76942 is: ‘Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation.’

3. Procedure

1. During a procedure such as a biopsy, aspiration, injection, or placement of a localization device, the physician needs imaging guidance to accurately locate the region to be targeted and place the needle in that specific area.
2. Using ultrasonography, the physician can visualize the internal organs and tissues by emitting sound waves and capturing the rebounding waves that are reflected back at different speeds by different types of tissues.
3. The physician moves the needle inside the body, guided by the real-time images provided by the ultrasonography, to reach the targeted tissue without causing harm to surrounding structures.
4. Once the needle is properly placed, the desired procedure, such as a biopsy or injection, can be performed.
5. The physician also supervises and interprets the imaging results obtained during the procedure.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 76942 is used when a physician utilizes ultrasonic guidance for needle placement during procedures such as biopsies, aspirations, injections, or placement of localization devices. This code should not be reported in conjunction with certain other codes, as specified in the notes. It is important to ensure that the procedure being performed meets the criteria for ultrasonic guidance and that the physician is actively supervising and interpreting the imaging results.

5. When to use CPT code 76942

CPT code 76942 should be used when a physician utilizes ultrasonic guidance for needle placement during procedures such as biopsies, aspirations, injections, or placement of localization devices. It is important to ensure that the procedure being performed meets the criteria for ultrasonic guidance and that the physician is actively supervising and interpreting the imaging results. This code should not be reported with certain other specified codes.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 76942, the physician must document the following information:

• The specific procedure performed, such as biopsy, aspiration, injection, or placement of a localization device
• The need for ultrasonic guidance and the rationale for its use
• The date of the procedure
• The start and end time of the procedure
• The specific imaging findings and interpretation by the physician
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• The physician’s signature

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 76942, it is important to ensure that the procedure meets the criteria for ultrasonic guidance and that the physician is actively supervising and interpreting the imaging results. This code should not be reported with certain other specified codes. It is important to review the specific billing guidelines and requirements of the payer to ensure accurate reporting and reimbursement.

8. Historical information

CPT 76942 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been historical changes to the code, including a code change on January 1, 2001, which expanded the description to include needle biopsy and radiological supervision and interpretation.

9. Examples

1. A physician using ultrasonic guidance to place a needle for a biopsy of a suspicious breast mass.
2. A physician utilizing ultrasonic guidance to perform an aspiration of fluid from a patient’s knee joint.
3. A physician using ultrasonic guidance to accurately inject medication into a specific joint for pain management.
4. A physician employing ultrasonic guidance to place a localization device in a breast lesion prior to surgical excision.
5. A physician utilizing ultrasonic guidance to perform a biopsy of a suspicious thyroid nodule.
6. A physician using ultrasonic guidance to accurately inject medication into a specific tendon sheath for the treatment of tenosynovitis.
7. A physician employing ultrasonic guidance to place a localization device in a lung nodule prior to surgical resection.
8. A physician utilizing ultrasonic guidance to perform a biopsy of a suspicious liver lesion.
9. A physician using ultrasonic guidance to accurately inject medication into a specific joint space for the treatment of arthritis.
10. A physician employing ultrasonic guidance to place a localization device in a kidney tumor prior to surgical removal.