© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound (US) is a specialized diagnostic procedure that integrates the techniques of endoscopy and ultrasound to provide detailed imaging of the digestive tract and adjacent structures. This minimally invasive approach employs a flexible endoscope equipped with a small ultrasound transducer, which is introduced either through the mouth (transorally) or the rectum (transrectally). During the procedure, the physician visually inspects the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract while simultaneously utilizing sound waves to generate images of the underlying tissues, including those beneath the mucosa. This dual capability allows for a comprehensive assessment of various gastrointestinal conditions. Gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound is particularly valuable in diagnosing a range of diseases affecting the stomach, pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, and intestines. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in identifying and staging cancers within these organs. The CPT® Code 76975 specifically denotes the radiological supervision and interpretation associated with the gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound procedure, which includes the review of the images produced and the generation of a written report detailing the findings observed during the examination.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound (US) is indicated for a variety of clinical scenarios where detailed imaging of the digestive tract and surrounding structures is necessary. The following conditions and symptoms may warrant the use of this procedure:
The gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound procedure involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging and assessment of the gastrointestinal tract. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Following the gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound, patients are typically monitored for a short period as the sedation wears off. It is common for patients to experience mild discomfort or bloating, which usually resolves quickly. The physician will discuss the findings from the procedure and any necessary follow-up actions based on the results. Patients may be advised to avoid eating or drinking until the effects of sedation have fully dissipated. Additionally, any specific post-procedure care instructions will be provided to ensure a smooth recovery.
| Short Descr | GI ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND | Medium Descr | GI ENDOSCOPIC US S&I | Long Descr | Gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound, supervision and interpretation | Status Code | Carriers Price the 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 | T-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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 194 - Diagnostic ultrasound of gastrointestinal tract |
| 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. | 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. |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2001-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1994-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1994. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.