ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BH49 includes procedures performed to image soft tissue structures in the abdominal wall. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when real-time ultrasonography is performed to evaluate or guide treatment of conditions affecting the abdominal wall. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BH49 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Abdominal Wall Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes real-time imaging using reflected and attenuated high-frequency sound waves to visualize the abdominal wall and its soft tissues. These procedures target the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast body system and involve capture and display of images or flow information for diagnostic or procedural guidance. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding is important for inpatient reimbursement because it documents the specific imaging operation and anatomical target, supporting clinical records and appropriate case mix assignment.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
H	Body System	Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
9	Body Part	Abdominal Wall

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Abdominal Wall Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
H	Body System	Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
9	Body Part	Abdominal Wall

When to Use

Use a code from this group when real-time high-frequency sound wave ultrasonography is performed on the abdominal wall for diagnostic assessment or to guide a procedure. These codes apply when the imaging captures reflected and attenuated sound waves to produce displayed images or flow information of the abdominal wall.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BH49ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Abdominal Wall

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 58-year-old woman admitted for evaluation of a rapidly enlarging, tender midline abdominal wall mass after recent coughing episodes. Physical exam suggests a possible ventral hernia versus soft tissue abscess within the abdominal wall layers, so real-time ultrasonography is performed at the bedside to characterize the lesion, assess for fluid collection, and guide further management decisions. Imaging helps distinguish herniated bowel from a superficial soft-tissue process and can direct need for surgical consultation or drainage. Typical codes: BH49ZZZ
A 42-year-old male scheduled for elective repair of a chronic flank abdominal wall defect with suspected muscle attenuation. Preoperative inpatient evaluation includes focused ultrasonography of the abdominal wall to map the defect, measure muscle and fascial layers, and plan surgical approach. Real-time imaging documents the extent of the soft-tissue defect and assists operative planning. Typical codes: BH49ZZZ
A 70-year-old diabetic patient admitted for concern of a nonhealing postoperative wound at a prior abdominal wall incision with intermittent drainage and erythema. Bedside ultrasonography of the abdominal wall is performed to evaluate for an underlying fluid collection, dehiscence, or track extending into the subcutaneous tissue to guide wound management and potential return to the operating room. Typical codes: BH49ZZZ

Related Codes

BH40-BREAST-ULTRASONOGRAPHY-RIGHT

ICD-10-PCS Code For Breast Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH41-LEFT-BREAST-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Breast: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH42-BREASTS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

BH47-UPPER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH48-LOWER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH4B-CHEST-WALL-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH4C-HEAD-AND-NECK-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: 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
BH49ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Abdominal Wall

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A 58-year-old woman admitted for evaluation of a rapidly enlarging, tender midline abdominal wall mass after recent coughing episodes. Physical exam suggests a possible ventral hernia versus soft tissue abscess within the abdominal wall layers, so real-time ultrasonography is performed at the bedside to characterize the lesion, assess for fluid collection, and guide further management decisions. Imaging helps distinguish herniated bowel from a superficial soft-tissue process and can direct need for surgical consultation or drainage. Typical codes: BH49ZZZ
A 42-year-old male scheduled for elective repair of a chronic flank abdominal wall defect with suspected muscle attenuation. Preoperative inpatient evaluation includes focused ultrasonography of the abdominal wall to map the defect, measure muscle and fascial layers, and plan surgical approach. Real-time imaging documents the extent of the soft-tissue defect and assists operative planning. Typical codes: BH49ZZZ
A 70-year-old diabetic patient admitted for concern of a nonhealing postoperative wound at a prior abdominal wall incision with intermittent drainage and erythema. Bedside ultrasonography of the abdominal wall is performed to evaluate for an underlying fluid collection, dehiscence, or track extending into the subcutaneous tissue to guide wound management and potential return to the operating room. Typical codes: BH49ZZZ

Related Codes

BH40-BREAST-ULTRASONOGRAPHY-RIGHT

ICD-10-PCS Code For Breast Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH41-LEFT-BREAST-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Left Breast: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH42-BREASTS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

BH47-UPPER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH48-LOWER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH4B-CHEST-WALL-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

BH4C-HEAD-AND-NECK-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Head And Neck: 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 Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Abdominal Wall Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdominal Wall: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Abdominal Wall Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code is used for ultrasonography of the abdominal wall?

What body system and operation are represented by the BH49 code group?

When should `BH49ZZZ` be documented in the inpatient record?

Why is accurate coding within the BH49 group important for inpatient reimbursement?

Are there related DRGs listed for the BH49 ultrasonography group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code is used for ultrasonography of the abdominal wall?

What body system and operation are represented by the BH49 code group?

When should `BH49ZZZ` be documented in the inpatient record?

Why is accurate coding within the BH49 group important for inpatient reimbursement?

Are there related DRGs listed for the BH49 ultrasonography group?

References