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

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BF42 includes procedures performed to image structures in the gallbladder. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when real-time display of gallbladder anatomy or flow information is obtained using reflected high-frequency sound waves. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BF42 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the diagnostic imaging performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Gallbladder Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

This procedure group covers real-time ultrasonic imaging of the gallbladder within the Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas. Procedures involve capturing reflected high-frequency sound waves to display anatomy and flow information of the gallbladder. Accurate coding matters because it documents the diagnostic imaging performed on the hepatobiliary system and supports appropriate inpatient payment and clinical records.

Code Attributes

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

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

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Gallbladder 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
2	Body Part	Gallbladder

When to Use

Use a code from this group when real-time diagnostic ultrasound is performed to evaluate gallbladder anatomy or biliary flow. Codes in this group apply when imaging is captured and displayed for clinical assessment or guidance during inpatient care.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BF42ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Gallbladder

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient is admitted from the emergency department with acute right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice after a history of biliary colic; clinicians suspect acute cholecystitis or choledocholithiasis and require real-time imaging at the bedside to assess gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and biliary flow. An inpatient ultrasonography of the gallbladder is performed to confirm the diagnosis and guide urgent management. Typical codes: BF42ZZZ
An elderly patient on the medicine service with unexplained abnormal liver function tests and chronic intermittent biliary-type pain is scheduled for inpatient diagnostic workup to evaluate gallbladder pathology and biliary sludge; the team orders a targeted real-time ultrasound to visualize gallbladder anatomy and assess bile flow before further intervention. Ultrasonography of the gallbladder is performed as a planned inpatient imaging study to inform definitive treatment planning. Typical codes: BF42ZZZ
A postoperative patient develops new unexplained fever and right upper quadrant tenderness after recent abdominal surgery, raising concern for postoperative gallbladder dysfunction or empyema; bedside real-time imaging is needed to evaluate for gallbladder distention, stones, or complicated fluid collections contributing to sepsis. An inpatient gallbladder ultrasonography is obtained to identify potential complications and direct urgent management. Typical codes: BF42ZZZ

Related Codes

BF40-BILE-DUCTS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Bile Ducts: 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
BF42ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Gallbladder

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient is admitted from the emergency department with acute right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice after a history of biliary colic; clinicians suspect acute cholecystitis or choledocholithiasis and require real-time imaging at the bedside to assess gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and biliary flow. An inpatient ultrasonography of the gallbladder is performed to confirm the diagnosis and guide urgent management. Typical codes: BF42ZZZ
An elderly patient on the medicine service with unexplained abnormal liver function tests and chronic intermittent biliary-type pain is scheduled for inpatient diagnostic workup to evaluate gallbladder pathology and biliary sludge; the team orders a targeted real-time ultrasound to visualize gallbladder anatomy and assess bile flow before further intervention. Ultrasonography of the gallbladder is performed as a planned inpatient imaging study to inform definitive treatment planning. Typical codes: BF42ZZZ
A postoperative patient develops new unexplained fever and right upper quadrant tenderness after recent abdominal surgery, raising concern for postoperative gallbladder dysfunction or empyema; bedside real-time imaging is needed to evaluate for gallbladder distention, stones, or complicated fluid collections contributing to sepsis. An inpatient gallbladder ultrasonography is obtained to identify potential complications and direct urgent management. Typical codes: BF42ZZZ

Related Codes

BF40-BILE-DUCTS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code for Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Gallbladder Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

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

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code for Gallbladder: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Gallbladder Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What is the ICD-10-PCS code group for gallbladder ultrasonography?

What type of procedure does the `BF42ZZZ` code represent?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is BF42 located?

Why is accurate coding within the BF42 group important?

When should BF42 codes be used in documentation?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What is the ICD-10-PCS code group for gallbladder ultrasonography?

What type of procedure does the `BF42ZZZ` code represent?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is BF42 located?

Why is accurate coding within the BF42 group important?

When should BF42 codes be used in documentation?

References