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Ultrasound guidance for parenchymal tissue ablation, as described by CPT® Code 76940, involves the use of ultrasound technology to assist in the precise targeting and monitoring of ablation procedures performed on parenchymal tissues, which are the functional tissues of organs or glands. This technique is particularly relevant in the context of microwave ablation (MVA) or radiofrequency ablation (RVA), where the goal is to destroy tumor cells or abnormal tissue within an organ. The ultrasound serves a dual purpose: first, it helps in mapping the treatment area to ensure accurate placement of the ablation instruments, and second, it allows for real-time monitoring of the ablation process. By visualizing the tissue and the ablation site, the physician can assess the effectiveness of the treatment and determine when sufficient ablation has occurred. The use of ultrasound in this context is critical for enhancing the safety and efficacy of the procedure, ensuring that the targeted tissue is adequately treated while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy structures. Code 76940 specifically captures the ultrasound guidance utilized during these separately reportable tissue ablation procedures.
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Ultrasound guidance for parenchymal tissue ablation is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for ultrasound guidance during parenchymal tissue ablation involves several critical steps:
After the ultrasound-guided parenchymal tissue ablation procedure, the patient may be monitored for any immediate complications or side effects. Follow-up imaging may be required to evaluate the success of the ablation and to ensure that the targeted tissue has been adequately treated. The physician will provide specific post-procedure care instructions, which may include pain management and activity restrictions, to facilitate recovery and minimize the risk of complications.
| Short Descr | US GUIDE TISSUE ABLATION | Medium Descr | US &MNTR PARENCHYMAL TISSUE ABLATION | Long Descr | Ultrasound guidance for, and monitoring of, parenchymal tissue ablation | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | YYY - Carrier Determines Whether Global Concept Applies | 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I3F - Echography/ultrasonography - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 197 - Other diagnostic ultrasound |
| 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 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. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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 | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2021-01-01 | Note | Guidelines changed. |
| 2018-01-01 | Changed | AMA guidelines changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. AMA guidelines changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2004. |
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