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Official Description

Ultrasound, transvaginal

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A transvaginal ultrasound, designated by CPT® Code 76830, is a diagnostic imaging procedure utilized to assess the non-pregnant uterus and various pelvic structures. This procedure is particularly valuable in evaluating a range of gynecological conditions. The transvaginal approach allows for a closer and more detailed examination of the pelvic organs compared to abdominal ultrasound, as it provides enhanced visualization of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding tissues. Common indications for this procedure include infertility assessments, investigations of abnormal uterine bleeding, and evaluations of unexplained pelvic pain. Additionally, transvaginal ultrasound is instrumental in identifying congenital anomalies of the ovaries and uterus, assessing ovarian cysts and tumors, diagnosing pelvic inflammatory disease, and verifying the placement of intrauterine devices (IUDs). During the procedure, the patient is positioned comfortably, typically with their feet in stirrups, after being instructed to empty their bladder. A protective cover is placed over the ultrasound transducer, and acoustic coupling gel is applied to facilitate sound wave transmission. The transducer is then gently inserted into the vagina, allowing for the capture of images from various angles. The ultrasound utilizes high-frequency sound waves that bounce off pelvic structures, creating echoes that are transformed into visual images. This process enables the physician to examine the uterus, measure endometrial thickness, evaluate any ovarian masses, and inspect the bladder and other pelvic structures for abnormalities. Following the imaging, the physician reviews the obtained ultrasound images and generates a comprehensive written interpretation of the findings.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The transvaginal ultrasound procedure is indicated for a variety of conditions and symptoms that require detailed evaluation of the pelvic structures. The following are the explicitly provided indications for performing this procedure:

  • Infertility - Assessment of potential underlying causes of infertility in patients.
  • Abnormal Bleeding - Investigation of the reasons behind irregular or abnormal uterine bleeding.
  • Unexplained Pain - Evaluation of pelvic pain that does not have a clear diagnosis.
  • Congenital Anomalies - Identification of any congenital anomalies present in the ovaries and uterus.
  • Ovarian Cysts and Tumors - Assessment and characterization of ovarian cysts and tumors.
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - Diagnosis and evaluation of pelvic inflammatory disease.
  • Bladder Abnormalities - Examination of the bladder for any abnormalities.
  • IUD Location - Verification of the correct placement of intrauterine devices (IUDs).

2. Procedure

The transvaginal ultrasound procedure involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging and assessment of the pelvic structures. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Preparation of the Patient - The patient is first instructed to empty their bladder to enhance the quality of the ultrasound images. Once prepared, the patient lies back comfortably on the examination table with their feet placed in stirrups, allowing for optimal access to the vaginal area.
  • Application of Protective Cover and Gel - A protective cover is placed over the ultrasound transducer to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination. Acoustic coupling gel is then applied to the transducer, which aids in the transmission of sound waves and improves image quality.
  • Insertion of the Transducer - The transducer is gently inserted into the vagina. This allows the ultrasound technician or physician to obtain images from various angles, providing a comprehensive view of the pelvic structures.
  • Image Acquisition - As the transducer is maneuvered, ultrasonic wave pulses are directed at the pelvic structures. The echoes produced by these waves are recorded, creating images of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding tissues. The technician captures images from different orientations to ensure thorough evaluation.
  • Examination of Structures - The physician examines the images obtained during the procedure. The uterus is assessed for size and shape, and the endometrial thickness is measured. The ovaries are carefully evaluated for any masses or abnormalities, while the bladder and other pelvic structures are also inspected for potential issues.
  • Review and Interpretation - After the imaging is complete, the physician reviews the transvaginal ultrasound images in detail. A written interpretation of the findings is then generated, summarizing any abnormalities or notable observations.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for a transvaginal ultrasound is generally minimal, as the procedure is non-invasive and typically well-tolerated by patients. After the ultrasound, patients may be advised to resume their normal activities immediately. However, they may experience some mild discomfort or spotting, which is usually temporary. It is important for patients to follow any specific instructions provided by their healthcare provider regarding follow-up appointments or additional tests, depending on the findings of the ultrasound. The physician will discuss the results of the ultrasound with the patient during a follow-up visit, addressing any concerns and outlining potential next steps based on the interpretation of the images.

Short Descr TRANSVAGINAL US NON-OB
Medium Descr US TRANSVAGINAL
Long Descr Ultrasound, transvaginal
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
ASC Payment Indicator Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 4 - Diagnostic Radiology
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I3B - Echography/ultrasonography - abdomen/pelvis
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 197 - Other diagnostic ultrasound

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

0690T Add-on Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Quantitative ultrasound tissue characterization (non-elastographic), including interpretation and report, obtained with diagnostic ultrasound examination of the same anatomy (eg, organ, gland, tissue, target structure) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
AG Primary physician
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
CG Policy criteria applied
FP Service provided as part of family planning program
FY X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging
GP Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care
GQ Via asynchronous telecommunications system
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
MA Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to service being rendered to a patient with a suspected or confirmed emergency medical condition
MG The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional
MH Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q3 Live kidney donor surgery and related services
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
SB Nurse midwife
ST Related to trauma or injury
TH Obstetrical treatment/services, prenatal or postpartum
U2 Medicaid level of care 2, as defined by each state
U6 Medicaid level of care 6, as defined by each state
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1990-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1990.
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