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The CPT® Code 76827 refers to a complete fetal Doppler echocardiography procedure that utilizes both pulsed wave and/or continuous wave Doppler techniques with spectral display. This diagnostic test is specifically designed to assess the cardiovascular health of a fetus during pregnancy. It is particularly indicated for cases where there is a suspicion of cardiovascular anomalies, which may arise from various risk factors such as a family history of congenital heart disease, detection of abnormal fetal heart rhythms by the obstetrician, or the presence of anomalies in the heart or other major organ systems observed during routine ultrasounds. Additionally, maternal conditions such as Type I diabetes or the use of certain medications known to impact fetal heart development can warrant this examination. The procedure can be performed using either abdominal or transvaginal ultrasound techniques. In the abdominal approach, a gel is applied to the abdomen, and a transducer probe is maneuvered over the skin to capture images from various angles. Conversely, the transvaginal method involves the insertion of a transducer into the vagina to obtain clearer images of the fetal heart. The Doppler technique employed in this echocardiography allows for the evaluation and measurement of blood flow through the heart's chambers and valves, providing critical information about the heart's function. This includes assessing the volume of blood ejected from each chamber during heartbeats and identifying any abnormal blood flow patterns. Furthermore, the procedure is capable of detecting structural anomalies such as defects in the atrial or ventricular septum and issues with the heart valves. For billing purposes, the code 76827 is used for an initial complete study, while 76828 is designated for follow-up or repeat studies.
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The fetal Doppler echocardiography procedure, coded as CPT® 76827, is indicated for several specific conditions and risk factors that may suggest the presence of cardiovascular anomalies in the fetus. These indications include:
The procedure for fetal Doppler echocardiography involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging and assessment of the fetal heart. These steps include:
After the completion of the fetal Doppler echocardiography, the patient may be advised to rest briefly while the images are reviewed. There are typically no specific post-procedure care requirements, as the procedure is non-invasive and does not involve any recovery time. However, the physician may discuss the findings with the patient and outline any necessary follow-up actions or additional testing if abnormalities are detected. It is essential for the patient to maintain regular prenatal care and report any concerning symptoms to their healthcare provider.
| Short Descr | ECHO EXAM OF FETAL HEART | Medium Descr | DOPPLER ECHO FETAL SPECTRAL DISPLAY COMPLETE | Long Descr | Doppler echocardiography, fetal, pulsed wave and/or continuous wave with spectral display; complete | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I3B - Echography/ultrasonography - abdomen/pelvis | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 193 - Diagnostic ultrasound of heart (echocardiogram) |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 93325 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Doppler echocardiography color flow velocity mapping (List separately in addition to codes for echocardiography) |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2005-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
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