Radiology Question for the Week of September 16, 2024

Question:

Can I code an abdomen complete ultrasound (76700) and an elastography ultrasound (76981) on the same date of service?

Answer:

Current CCI edits from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prohibit the coding of both a regular ultrasound and ultrasound elastography together at the same session, which is contradictory to other industry guidance. If performed at a separate session, the ultrasound and ultrasound elastography can both be coded but beware as CMS is keeping watch for services that should have been performed together being split for billing purposes. If these services are performed at separate sessions, ensure the documentation and orders for both do support separate sessions.