CPT CODE AND Description
76770 - Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; complete - Average fee amount $100 - $130
76775 - Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; limited
76776 - Ultrasound, transplanted kidney, real time and duplex Doppler with image documentation
Indications and Limitations of Coverage and/or Medical Necessity
Retroperitoneal ultrasound studies represent the ultrasonic imaging of retroperitoneal organs for the diagnosis and management of abnormalities that occur in the retroperitoneum.
A complete study visualizes all the structures or organs within the anatomic description of that study. A limited study involves a single quadrant or a single diagnostic problem or an evaluation of an organ of interest.
Retroperitoneal ultrasonography may be considered reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of the following areas:
1. Pancreas
2. Abdominal aorta - Ultrasound is accurate for aortic measurement and may be used to follow patients with aneurysms.
3. Inferior vena cava- Ultrasound is useful in detection of invasion by adjacent tumors and identification of obstruction levels.
4. Kidneys, ureter, and bladder:
a) Kidneys-
i) To evaluate obstruction in symptomatic patients and for guidance of percutaneous nephrostomy tubes. May also confirm scarred or small kidneys in chronic renal cortical disease (but may be of no use in detecting early or mild cortical disorders or to categorize specific types of cortical diseases).
ii) May be useful in detecting and following renal cysts and localizing solid masses.
iii) May be useful as a primary diagnostic tool in patients with hematuria.
b) Ureter- Ureters are usually not well visualized by ultrasound, especially in their mid-portions; ultrasound may rarely be helpful to confirm the presence of dilatation, filling defects or a mass, in its most proximal or distal portions. Ultrasound has no role in vesicle ureteral reflux.
c) Bladder- Tumors of the bladder are most efficiently followed by cystoscopy and urography. However, ultrasound is useful in following intraluminal bladder tumor with or without extraluminal extension, including evaluation of bladder wall thickness and irregularity.
5. Renal transplants- Ultrasound is indicated to detect urinary obstruction, fluid collection, and complications of renal transplants and is considered a primary tool in this endeavor. The presence or absence of signs and symptoms dictate utilization frequency of this modality for renal transplants.
6. Adenopathy- CT is far more accurate than ultrasound in detecting and delineating adenopathy. Ultrasound in this instance should be considered secondary and rarely utilized in the detection or follow up of nodal disease.
7. Prostate- Evaluation of the prostate is primarily done transrectally by ultrasound.
8. Adrenal Gland- Ultrasound is of little value since CT scan is considered more accurate.
9. Organs located in the retroperitoneal region-Ultrasound may be helpful in evaluation of wounds, contusions, and lacerations of organs located in the retroperitoneal region.
Examples of Claim Adjudication Scenarios: Preventive vs. Diagnostic:
1. Member is a 65 year old male with previous history of smoking and is scheduled for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by ultrasonography. Provider bills CPT code 76770 with and ICD.10 code Z87.891. This would be considered a preventive service with no cost to the member.
2. Member is a 60 year old male with no previous history of smoking but with abdominal symptoms requiring an abdominal ultrasound. Provider bills CPT code 76775 and ICD.10 code R10.9 or R10.0. The procedure code billed is used for preventive services but the ICD.10 code is not and therefore based on the age of the member (or insured) and the diagnosis code, this would be considered a diagnostic procedure and subject to the member’s benefit plan.
3. Member is a 73 year old male with previous history of smoking and is scheduled for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by ultrasonography. Provider bills CPT code 76770 with and ICD.10 code Z87.891. Member or insured, also scheduled for an ultrasound of the carotid arteries. Provider bills CPT code 93880 and ICD.10 code R55. No cost share would be taken on CPT code 76770 as this is considered a preventive service within the recommended preventive service criteria but cost share would be taken on CPT code 93880 as this is a non-preventive service.
Billing and Coding Guidelines
• Aetna will cover a one-time ultrasound screening for AAA for men 65 code 76770 – complete retroperitoneal ultrasound or CPT code 76775 – limited retroperitoneal ultrasound, as appropriate for the reporting of this service. Payment rates are not publicly available and will depend upon the contract each provider has negotiated with Aetna.
• Cigna will cover a one-time ultrasound screening for AAA for men age 65 - 75 who have ever smoked, male nonsmokers nearing age 65 with a family history of AAA, and female smokers age 70 or older with a family history of AAA. These coverage criteria only apply for those members who have coverage for preventive health services. Cigna’s policy also references the limited and complete retroperitoneal ultrasound codes. Payment rates are proprietary and variable as above.
• Several of the Blue Cross Blue Shield companies advise members determined by their physicians to be at risk for AAA to receive screening for AAA, but they note that this service may not be covered under all plans. In all instances, it is advisable for providers to contact the private insurance companies prior to providing the AAA screening to verify coverage
for their individual patients.
• A kidney can be evaluated as a part of a larger exam, or by itself. If it is part of a larger exam, use the CPT code 76770 - Ultrasound, retroperitoneal e.g. renal, aorta, nodes, real time with image documentation; complete. According to CPT a complete ultrasound examination of the retroperitoneum consists of B mode scans of kidneys, abdominal aorta, common iliac artery origins, and inferior vena cava, including any demonstrated retroperitoneal abnormality. Alternatively, if clinical history suggests urinary tract pathology, complete evaluation of the kidneys and urinary bladder also comprises a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound. Otherwise, a limited exam is reported with CPT code 76775. A limited study evaluates a single area or organ of interest.
CPT Code CPT Code Descriptor Global Payment Professional Payment Technical
Payment APC Code APC Payment 76770 Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (e.g., renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; complete. $132.39‡ $36.08 $96.31‡ 0266 $96.31
A complete ultrasound examination of the retroperitoneum (76770) consists of real time scans of the kidneys, abdominal aorta, common iliac artery origins, and inferior vena cava, including any demonstrated retroperitoneal abnormality.” Alternatively, if clinical history suggests urinary tract pathology, complete evaluation of the kidneys and urinary bladder also comprises a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound.
The documentation for diagnostic ultrasounds for a “complete” exam should contain a description of all required elements or explain as to why they could not be visualized. If the exam entails anything less than the above mentioned regions or does not explain why they could not be visualized, the corresponding limited ultrasound code would be reported. A “limited” study includes only a single quadrant or a single diagnostic issue.
This is why documentation is very important for these studies. If the documentation does not meet CPT guidelines for a retroperitoneal ultrasound (76770) by leaving out a comment on one or two of the required elements it means reporting 76775 for the limited. If billing globally this can be $20 less in reimbursement. A checklist may be one way to be sure all areas are covered for each ultrasound
76770 - Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; complete - Average fee amount $100 - $130
76775 - Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; limited
76776 - Ultrasound, transplanted kidney, real time and duplex Doppler with image documentation
Indications and Limitations of Coverage and/or Medical Necessity
Retroperitoneal ultrasound studies represent the ultrasonic imaging of retroperitoneal organs for the diagnosis and management of abnormalities that occur in the retroperitoneum.
A complete study visualizes all the structures or organs within the anatomic description of that study. A limited study involves a single quadrant or a single diagnostic problem or an evaluation of an organ of interest.
Retroperitoneal ultrasonography may be considered reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of the following areas:
1. Pancreas
2. Abdominal aorta - Ultrasound is accurate for aortic measurement and may be used to follow patients with aneurysms.
3. Inferior vena cava- Ultrasound is useful in detection of invasion by adjacent tumors and identification of obstruction levels.
4. Kidneys, ureter, and bladder:
a) Kidneys-
i) To evaluate obstruction in symptomatic patients and for guidance of percutaneous nephrostomy tubes. May also confirm scarred or small kidneys in chronic renal cortical disease (but may be of no use in detecting early or mild cortical disorders or to categorize specific types of cortical diseases).
ii) May be useful in detecting and following renal cysts and localizing solid masses.
iii) May be useful as a primary diagnostic tool in patients with hematuria.
b) Ureter- Ureters are usually not well visualized by ultrasound, especially in their mid-portions; ultrasound may rarely be helpful to confirm the presence of dilatation, filling defects or a mass, in its most proximal or distal portions. Ultrasound has no role in vesicle ureteral reflux.
c) Bladder- Tumors of the bladder are most efficiently followed by cystoscopy and urography. However, ultrasound is useful in following intraluminal bladder tumor with or without extraluminal extension, including evaluation of bladder wall thickness and irregularity.
5. Renal transplants- Ultrasound is indicated to detect urinary obstruction, fluid collection, and complications of renal transplants and is considered a primary tool in this endeavor. The presence or absence of signs and symptoms dictate utilization frequency of this modality for renal transplants.
6. Adenopathy- CT is far more accurate than ultrasound in detecting and delineating adenopathy. Ultrasound in this instance should be considered secondary and rarely utilized in the detection or follow up of nodal disease.
7. Prostate- Evaluation of the prostate is primarily done transrectally by ultrasound.
8. Adrenal Gland- Ultrasound is of little value since CT scan is considered more accurate.
9. Organs located in the retroperitoneal region-Ultrasound may be helpful in evaluation of wounds, contusions, and lacerations of organs located in the retroperitoneal region.
Examples of Claim Adjudication Scenarios: Preventive vs. Diagnostic:
1. Member is a 65 year old male with previous history of smoking and is scheduled for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by ultrasonography. Provider bills CPT code 76770 with and ICD.10 code Z87.891. This would be considered a preventive service with no cost to the member.
2. Member is a 60 year old male with no previous history of smoking but with abdominal symptoms requiring an abdominal ultrasound. Provider bills CPT code 76775 and ICD.10 code R10.9 or R10.0. The procedure code billed is used for preventive services but the ICD.10 code is not and therefore based on the age of the member (or insured) and the diagnosis code, this would be considered a diagnostic procedure and subject to the member’s benefit plan.
3. Member is a 73 year old male with previous history of smoking and is scheduled for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by ultrasonography. Provider bills CPT code 76770 with and ICD.10 code Z87.891. Member or insured, also scheduled for an ultrasound of the carotid arteries. Provider bills CPT code 93880 and ICD.10 code R55. No cost share would be taken on CPT code 76770 as this is considered a preventive service within the recommended preventive service criteria but cost share would be taken on CPT code 93880 as this is a non-preventive service.
Billing and Coding Guidelines
• Aetna will cover a one-time ultrasound screening for AAA for men 65 code 76770 – complete retroperitoneal ultrasound or CPT code 76775 – limited retroperitoneal ultrasound, as appropriate for the reporting of this service. Payment rates are not publicly available and will depend upon the contract each provider has negotiated with Aetna.
• Cigna will cover a one-time ultrasound screening for AAA for men age 65 - 75 who have ever smoked, male nonsmokers nearing age 65 with a family history of AAA, and female smokers age 70 or older with a family history of AAA. These coverage criteria only apply for those members who have coverage for preventive health services. Cigna’s policy also references the limited and complete retroperitoneal ultrasound codes. Payment rates are proprietary and variable as above.
• Several of the Blue Cross Blue Shield companies advise members determined by their physicians to be at risk for AAA to receive screening for AAA, but they note that this service may not be covered under all plans. In all instances, it is advisable for providers to contact the private insurance companies prior to providing the AAA screening to verify coverage
for their individual patients.
• A kidney can be evaluated as a part of a larger exam, or by itself. If it is part of a larger exam, use the CPT code 76770 - Ultrasound, retroperitoneal e.g. renal, aorta, nodes, real time with image documentation; complete. According to CPT a complete ultrasound examination of the retroperitoneum consists of B mode scans of kidneys, abdominal aorta, common iliac artery origins, and inferior vena cava, including any demonstrated retroperitoneal abnormality. Alternatively, if clinical history suggests urinary tract pathology, complete evaluation of the kidneys and urinary bladder also comprises a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound. Otherwise, a limited exam is reported with CPT code 76775. A limited study evaluates a single area or organ of interest.
CPT Code CPT Code Descriptor Global Payment Professional Payment Technical
Payment APC Code APC Payment 76770 Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (e.g., renal, aorta, nodes), real time with image documentation; complete. $132.39‡ $36.08 $96.31‡ 0266 $96.31
A complete ultrasound examination of the retroperitoneum (76770) consists of real time scans of the kidneys, abdominal aorta, common iliac artery origins, and inferior vena cava, including any demonstrated retroperitoneal abnormality.” Alternatively, if clinical history suggests urinary tract pathology, complete evaluation of the kidneys and urinary bladder also comprises a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound.
The documentation for diagnostic ultrasounds for a “complete” exam should contain a description of all required elements or explain as to why they could not be visualized. If the exam entails anything less than the above mentioned regions or does not explain why they could not be visualized, the corresponding limited ultrasound code would be reported. A “limited” study includes only a single quadrant or a single diagnostic issue.
This is why documentation is very important for these studies. If the documentation does not meet CPT guidelines for a retroperitoneal ultrasound (76770) by leaving out a comment on one or two of the required elements it means reporting 76775 for the limited. If billing globally this can be $20 less in reimbursement. A checklist may be one way to be sure all areas are covered for each ultrasound