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The procedure described by CPT® Code 76983 involves the use of ultrasound elastography to assess the elastic properties of soft tissues, particularly focusing on lesions within these tissues. Ultrasound elastography is a specialized imaging technique that provides valuable diagnostic information regarding various conditions affecting soft tissue organs, such as the liver, breast, thyroid, prostate, and muscles. The term 'parenchyma' refers to the functional tissue of an organ, which is crucial for its operation. This procedure can be instrumental in evaluating diseases that affect these structures by measuring how they respond to applied pressure or deformation.
Different elastography techniques are employed to create detailed images that reflect the stiffness or elasticity of the target tissue. For instance, strain elastography utilizes real-time two-dimensional imaging to visualize the elastographic map by applying low-frequency compression through a handheld ultrasound transducer or by utilizing natural body movements like breathing or pulsation. This method is particularly useful in musculoskeletal imaging. On the other hand, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography employs focused ultrasound pulses to internally excite the tissue, resulting in qualitative images that can be color-coded or displayed in gray-scale, which is beneficial for deep-tissue imaging, including assessments of the liver, thyroid, and breast. Additionally, shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) generates images based on the lateral movement of ultrasound waves, making it suitable for deep-tissue evaluations. A variant of SWEI, known as transient vibration controlled elastography, uses short bursts of vibration specifically for imaging the liver.
It is important to note that CPT® Code 76983 is specifically designated for each additional target lesion evaluated during the elastography procedure. This code should be used in conjunction with other related codes, such as 76981 for the evaluation of a parenchymal organ and any specific lesions within that organ, and 76982 for the evaluation of a specific soft tissue lesion or the first lesion in a different organ.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The ultrasound elastography procedure, represented by CPT® Code 76983, is indicated for the evaluation of various conditions affecting soft tissue organs. The following are specific indications for performing this procedure:
The ultrasound elastography procedure involves several key steps to ensure accurate assessment of the target lesions. The following procedural steps outline the process:
After the ultrasound elastography procedure, the patient may be monitored briefly to ensure there are no immediate adverse effects. Typically, there are no specific post-procedure care requirements, and patients can resume normal activities immediately. The results of the elastography will be analyzed and interpreted by the physician, who will discuss the findings with the patient and determine any necessary follow-up actions or additional diagnostic procedures based on the results obtained. It is important for the healthcare provider to ensure that the patient understands the implications of the findings and any further steps that may be required for their care.
| Short Descr | USE EA ADDL TARGET LESION | Medium Descr | ULTRASOUND ELASTOGRAPHY EA ADDL TAGET LESION | Long Descr | Ultrasound, elastography; each additional target lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | 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) | none | MUE | 2 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 76982 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q3 ASC Z2 Ultrasound, elastography; first target lesion |
| 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. | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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. | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2019-01-01 | Added | Added |
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