ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BF40 includes procedures performed to image and evaluate the bile ducts using ultrasonography in the hepatobiliary system and pancreas. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when clinically indicated imaging of the bile ducts is performed to assess anatomy, obstruction, stones, or postoperative changes. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BF40 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the diagnostic imaging procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Bile Ducts Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Procedures in this group involve ultrasonography of the bile ducts within the hepatobiliary system and pancreas, using high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of ductal anatomy and flow. These procedures capture reflected and attenuated sound information to evaluate structure, obstruction, stones, or postoperative changes. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding for these imaging procedures ensures inpatient records reflect the diagnostic service provided and supports correct case mix and reimbursement.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
F	Body System	Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
0	Body Part	Bile Ducts

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Bile Ducts Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
F	Body System	Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
0	Body Part	Bile Ducts

When to Use

Use a code from this group when ultrasonography is performed specifically to image the bile ducts to evaluate for obstruction, stones, strictures, or postoperative assessment. Select these codes for inpatient documentation whenever the bile duct ultrasound is the imaging procedure performed and recorded in the medical record.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BF40ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Bile Ducts

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 68-year-old patient is admitted with acute obstructive jaundice and right upper quadrant pain after clinical and laboratory findings suggest cholestasis. Cross-sectional imaging is inconclusive for common bile duct dilation, so real-time ultrasonography of the bile ducts is performed to evaluate ductal anatomy and identify obstructing stones or strictures at the bedside. The study guides further management, such as endoscopic intervention or surgical consultation. Typical codes: BF40ZZZ
A 55-year-old patient is scheduled for inpatient evaluation following recent hepatobiliary surgery to assess for postoperative bile leak or ductal obstruction. Targeted ultrasonography of the bile ducts is obtained in real time to document postoperative anatomy, check for biliary dilation, and evaluate potential collections that may impinge on the ducts. Findings help determine need for drainage, ERCP, or further operative management. Typical codes: BF40ZZZ
A 45-year-old patient with known primary sclerosing cholangitis is admitted with worsening cholestatic liver tests and fever concerning for ascending cholangitis. Focused ultrasonography of the bile ducts is performed to assess for progressive stricturing, intrahepatic ductal dilation, or biliary stasis that could explain the clinical deterioration and to assist in urgent treatment planning. Typical codes: BF40ZZZ

Related Codes

BF42-GALLBLADDER-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code for Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF43-GALLBLADDER-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder And Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF45-LIVER-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Liver: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF46-LIVER-AND-SPLEEN-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Liver And Spleen: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF47-PANCREAS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code for Pancreas: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF4C-HEPATOBILIARY-SYSTEM-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Hepatobiliary System: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BF40ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Bile Ducts

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 68-year-old patient is admitted with acute obstructive jaundice and right upper quadrant pain after clinical and laboratory findings suggest cholestasis. Cross-sectional imaging is inconclusive for common bile duct dilation, so real-time ultrasonography of the bile ducts is performed to evaluate ductal anatomy and identify obstructing stones or strictures at the bedside. The study guides further management, such as endoscopic intervention or surgical consultation. Typical codes: BF40ZZZ
A 55-year-old patient is scheduled for inpatient evaluation following recent hepatobiliary surgery to assess for postoperative bile leak or ductal obstruction. Targeted ultrasonography of the bile ducts is obtained in real time to document postoperative anatomy, check for biliary dilation, and evaluate potential collections that may impinge on the ducts. Findings help determine need for drainage, ERCP, or further operative management. Typical codes: BF40ZZZ
A 45-year-old patient with known primary sclerosing cholangitis is admitted with worsening cholestatic liver tests and fever concerning for ascending cholangitis. Focused ultrasonography of the bile ducts is performed to assess for progressive stricturing, intrahepatic ductal dilation, or biliary stasis that could explain the clinical deterioration and to assist in urgent treatment planning. Typical codes: BF40ZZZ

Related Codes

BF42-GALLBLADDER-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code for Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF43-GALLBLADDER-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Gallbladder And Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF45-LIVER-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Liver: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF46-LIVER-AND-SPLEEN-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Liver And Spleen: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF47-PANCREAS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code for Pancreas: Procedure Code Group Overview

BF4C-HEPATOBILIARY-SYSTEM-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Hepatobiliary System: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Bile Ducts Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Bile Ducts Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code represents ultrasonography of the bile ducts?

What is the primary purpose of procedures in the BF40 code group?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is `BF40ZZZ` classified?

When should `BF40ZZZ` be documented in inpatient records?

How does accurate coding of BF40 procedures affect reimbursement and documentation?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code represents ultrasonography of the bile ducts?

What is the primary purpose of procedures in the BF40 code group?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is `BF40ZZZ` classified?

When should `BF40ZZZ` be documented in inpatient records?

How does accurate coding of BF40 procedures affect reimbursement and documentation?

References