AMA CPT® Assistant - 2005 Issue 12 (December)
Diagnostic Ultrasound Procedures (December 2005)
December 2005 pages 3-6 Coding Communication: Diagnostic Ultrasound Procedures This article will highlight the clarification added to the Diagnostic Ultrasound subheading of the Radiology section of CPT 2005 . We will further expand the discussion specific to each anatomic site within the Diagnostic Ultrasound subheading of Radiology. For CPT 2005 , the CPT Editorial Panel established a workgroup to evaluate the Category I ultrasound codes and determine if revisions should be made to incorporate hand-held ultrasound procedures or if new codes should be established. As a result of the diligent effort set forth by the workgroup members, it was concluded that...
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Article Overview
This premium article explains December 2005 CPT changes and clarifications for diagnostic ultrasound procedures in the Radiology section. It is aimed at coding professionals, billers, and clinical documentation staff who need to understand how the ultrasound subheading was organized and what broad documentation themes were emphasized for different anatomic regions. The article covers ophthalmic ultrasound, abdomen and retroperitoneum, obstetrical Doppler studies, non-obstetrical pelvic ultrasound, and related cross-references to other CPT categories.
Why This Topic Matters
The article matters because it summarizes CPT 2005 ultrasound guidance that affected how diagnostic ultrasound services were structured and documented. It helps readers understand the scope of the updated radiology guidance and where related ultrasound services are directed in the code set.
Article Sections
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December 2005 pages 3-6
Publication context and the overall purpose of the CPT ultrasound discussion. Introduces the scope of the radiology subsection updates covered in the article.
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Diagnostic Ultrasound Procedures
General guidance for diagnostic ultrasound reporting in CPT 2005. Covers broad documentation themes, introductory instructions, and references to related ultrasound services.
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Definitions
Basic terminology used in ultrasound procedures. Defines common scanning and measurement concepts used throughout the discussion.
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Head and Neck
Discussion of ophthalmic ultrasound coding within the head and neck area. Focuses on how the code family was organized and differentiated in the 2005 update.
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Description of Procedure: 76510
Procedure narrative associated with the combined ophthalmic ultrasound service. Provides a procedural overview for the referenced code family.
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Description of Procedure: 76511
Procedure narrative associated with a quantitative ophthalmic ultrasound service. Presents the general workflow for that service category.
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Description of Procedure: 76512
Procedure narrative associated with an ophthalmic B-scan service. Describes the general procedural context for this code.
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Abdomen and Retroperitoneum
Guidance for abdominal and retroperitoneal ultrasound reporting. Summarizes the introductory framework applied to this code series.
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Pelvis: Obstetrical
Obstetrical pelvic ultrasound guidance, including Doppler-related additions and revisions. Covers the fetal circulation studies discussed in the article.
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Description of Procedure: 76820
Procedure narrative associated with an obstetrical Doppler study. Describes the general reporting context for the referenced service.
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Description of Procedure: 76821
Procedure narrative associated with a fetal cerebral artery Doppler study. Provides the general procedural context for this obstetrical service.
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Pelvis: Non-Obstetrical
Non-obstetrical pelvic ultrasound guidance and code organization. Covers the broad framework for complete and limited pelvic examinations.
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Coding Tip
A short coding cross-reference note included at the end of the article. Points readers toward related Category III ultrasound codes.
What You Will Learn
- How the December 2005 CPT ultrasound guidance is organized across body regions
- What broad documentation themes the article emphasizes for diagnostic ultrasound services
- How the article frames ophthalmic, abdominal, obstetrical, and non-obstetrical ultrasound topics
- Where related ultrasound services are referenced within CPT
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding educators
- Revenue cycle staff
- Clinical documentation professionals
- Physician practices using diagnostic ultrasound
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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