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An ultrasound study, specifically coded as CPT® 76883, is a diagnostic imaging procedure that focuses on the examination of nerves and their accompanying structures throughout their entire anatomical course within one extremity. This comprehensive ultrasound includes real-time cine imaging, which allows for dynamic visualization of the nerve as it moves, and is documented with images for further analysis. The procedure is designed to assess the full length of a single nerve, enabling the identification of potential issues such as nerve compression, inflammation, or degeneration. During the examination, multiple sections of the nerve are evaluated, with particular attention given to the cross-sectional areas to assess properties like echogenicity (the ability of the tissue to reflect ultrasound waves), vascularity (blood flow to the nerve), and mobility, which includes the nerve's ability to move during dynamic maneuvers. The ultrasound is typically initiated by identifying the nerve distally in the extremity and then tracing it proximally using a high-frequency linear transducer. This method allows for a thorough inspection of the nerve itself, as well as the surrounding muscles, tendons, and bones, to detect any conditions such as tenosynovitis, bone spurs, or other anatomical abnormalities that may contribute to nerve entrapment. Cross-sectional views are captured at various points along the nerve to quantify its mobility, vascularity, and shape, which can provide critical insights into the presence of trauma, tumors, entrapment, or inflammation. Compared to other diagnostic methods, such as electromyography (EMG), ultrasound nerve studies are generally considered to be lower risk and more tolerable for patients, making them a valuable tool in the assessment of nerve-related conditions.
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The ultrasound procedure coded as CPT® 76883 is indicated for various conditions and symptoms that may affect the nerves in an extremity. The following are explicitly provided indications for performing this ultrasound study:
The procedure for CPT® 76883 involves several detailed steps to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the nerve and its surrounding structures. The following procedural steps are outlined:
After the completion of the ultrasound procedure coded as CPT® 76883, the patient may be advised to resume normal activities unless otherwise directed by the healthcare provider. There are typically no specific post-procedure care requirements, as the ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure with minimal risk. The healthcare provider will review the documented images and findings to determine the next steps in the patient's care, which may include further diagnostic testing or treatment options based on the results of the ultrasound study.
| Short Descr | US NRV&ACC STRUX 1XTR COMPRE | Medium Descr | US NRV&ACC STRUX 1 XTR COMPRE W/IMG PR EXTREMITY | Long Descr | Ultrasound, nerve(s) and accompanying structures throughout their entire anatomic course in one extremity, comprehensive, including real-time cine imaging with image documentation, per extremity | 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) | none | MUE | 4 |
| 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. | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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. | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician |
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| 2023-01-01 | Added | Code added. |
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