by Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS
Aug 26th, 2020
According to the AMA guidelines, when reporting 76700, a complete exam must include real-time scans of the following: liver, gall bladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and the upper abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava including any demonstrated abdominal abnormality.
- Real-time scanning of the kidneys
- Abdominal aorta
- Common iliac artery origins
- Inferior vena cava
Alternatively, if ultrasonography is being performed to evaluate the urinary tract, examination of the kidneys and urinary bladder constitutes a complete exam. Code 76775 is used when a limited retroperitoneal ultrasound examination is performed.
According to the AMA's common Language description, "if ultrasonography is being performed to evaluate the urinary tract, examination of the kidneys and urinary bladder constitutes a complete exam."
References/Resources
About Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS
Christine Woolstenhulme, CPC, QCC, CMCS, CMRS, is a Certified coder and Medical Biller with 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry.
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