How To Use CPT Code 76945

CPT 76945 describes the use of ultrasonic guidance for chorionic villus sampling, specifically the imaging supervision and interpretation. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 76945?

CPT 76945 can be used to describe the imaging supervision and interpretation provided by a healthcare provider during chorionic villus sampling, a procedure that involves sampling the placental tissue using ultrasound guidance. This code is used when the provider performs the imaging supervision and interpretation for the separately reportable sampling of chorionic villus.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 76945 is: ‘Ultrasonic guidance for chorionic villus sampling, imaging supervision and interpretation.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider uses ultrasound guidance to assist with the sampling of chorionic villus, which is the placental tissue.
2. The provider may perform the sampling either through the abdomen by inserting a needle or vaginally by introducing a catheter through the vagina or cervix.
3. Ultrasound guidance is used to advance the needle or catheter to the placenta and take a sample of placental cells.
4. The goal of this procedure is to determine chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 76945 services are those who require chorionic villus sampling for the diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders. The provider performing the sampling must use ultrasound guidance for imaging supervision and interpretation during the procedure.

5. When to use CPT code 76945

CPT code 76945 should be used when a healthcare provider performs the imaging supervision and interpretation for chorionic villus sampling using ultrasound guidance. This code is specific to the imaging component of the procedure and should be reported separately from the sampling procedure itself.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 76945, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Indication for chorionic villus sampling and the need for imaging supervision and interpretation
• Details of the ultrasound guidance used during the procedure
• Date and duration of the imaging supervision and interpretation
• Findings and any abnormalities detected during the procedure
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the imaging supervision and interpretation

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 76945, ensure that the healthcare provider performing the imaging supervision and interpretation is appropriately qualified. This code should be reported separately from the sampling procedure itself. If reporting only the physician’s interpretation for the radiology service, append modifier 26 to the radiology code. If reporting only the technical component, append modifier TC to the radiology code. However, payer policy may exempt hospitals from appending modifier TC. Do not append a professional or technical modifier to the radiology code when reporting a global service in which one provider renders both components. In rare instances where one provider supervises the radiology service and another interprets it, each provider should report the radiology code and append reduced service modifier 52. Each should also append modifier 26 to report only the professional component.

8. Historical information

CPT 76945 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1995. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A radiologist providing imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities in a pregnant patient.
2. An obstetrician using ultrasound guidance to perform imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling for genetic testing.
3. A perinatologist performing imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to detect genetic disorders in a high-risk pregnancy.
4. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist providing imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to diagnose fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
5. A genetic counselor assisting with imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to determine the presence of genetic disorders in a fetus.
6. A radiology technician providing imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to assist in the diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities.
7. An ultrasound technologist performing imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to aid in the detection of genetic disorders.
8. A maternal-fetal medicine fellow assisting with imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
9. A perinatal nurse providing imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to identify genetic disorders in a pregnant patient.
10. A medical geneticist performing imaging supervision and interpretation during chorionic villus sampling to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus.