Know Differences Before Coding Extremity Ultrasounds
Question: What is the difference between a complete and a limited ultrasound (US) of an extremity? Kansas Subscriber Answer: There are certain aspects of a US of an extremity that are required for both limited and complete US: Whether complete or limited, the US must be real-time and include image documentation. Report a complete US with 76881 (Ultrasound, complete joint (ie, joint space and peri-articular soft-tissue structures), real-time with image documentation). Remember, to report a complete US, the procedure must focus on the complete joint: joint space and all soft-tissue structures. If the US doesn’t focus on the complete joint, and instead looks at a few of the elements that would be required for a full US, it’s limited. You’ll report limited US with 76882 (Ultrasound, limited, joint or focal evaluation of other nonvascular extremity structure(s) (eg, joint space, peri-articular tendon[s], muscle[s], nerve[s], other soft-tissue structure[s], or soft-tissue mass[es]), real-time with image documentation). The documentation for 76882 should point out what elements the physician addressed during the limited US. Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC
