Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: Our ob-gyn will soon perform 3-D ultrasounds for our ob patients, but I can't find a specific CPT code for this. Other sources have suggested that I should use the CPT code for the ultrasound and then add 76375, but I'm not sure that I should use this code.


South Carolina Subscriber

Answer: The American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM) recommends that you use 76375 (Coronal, sagittal, multiplanar, oblique, 3-dimensional and/or holographic reconstruction of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or other tomographic modality). The machine that does the 3-D imaging does in fact convert the ultrasound exam into a  3-D image.

However, you may have a bigger problem: attaining reimbursement. Many payers consider this service investigational, so if you intend to seek payment, you will have to charge the patient. The few payers that do reimburse this service may well require a maternal-fetal specialist to perform the 3-D with proof that the fetus has an abnormality that requires further study as evidenced by a detailed ultrasound scan.