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

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BL42 includes procedures performed to image connective tissue structures in the upper extremity using real-time ultrasonography. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when ultrasound imaging of upper extremity tendons is performed to evaluate tendon pathology, guide management, or assist procedures. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BL42 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Tendons: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Get alerted when relevant policies change without checking for updates manually.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Upper Extremity Tendons Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

This code group includes real-time ultrasonography procedures that capture and display images of upper extremity tendon anatomy and flow information using reflected high-frequency sound waves. The procedures target connective tissue structures (tendons) in the upper extremity and are performed to evaluate integrity, inflammation, tears, or other pathology. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding for these imaging procedures matters for proper inpatient documentation and reimbursement because it captures the specific body part and operation performed.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
L	Body System	Connective Tissue
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
2	Body Part	Tendons, Upper Extremity

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

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

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Tendons: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Get alerted when relevant policies change without checking for updates manually.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Upper Extremity Tendons Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
L	Body System	Connective Tissue
4	Operation	Ultrasonography
2	Body Part	Tendons, Upper Extremity

When to Use

Use a code from this group when ultrasonography is performed specifically on upper extremity tendons during an inpatient encounter. Examples include evaluation of suspected tendon tear, tendonitis, or to guide diagnostic or therapeutic interventions involving the tendon.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BL42ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Upper Extremity Tendons

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient is admitted from the emergency department after a fall onto an outstretched hand with acute pain, swelling, and marked loss of active finger extension suggesting possible distal biceps or extensor tendon injury; inpatient evaluation includes bedside real-time ultrasonography to assess for tendon discontinuity, retraction, or hematoma to guide urgent surgical consultation. Typical codes: BL42ZZZ
An inpatient orthopedic admission for planned evaluation of chronic lateral epicondylitis with persistent pain and functional limitation despite conservative outpatient treatment; real-time ultrasonography is performed to visualize tendon degeneration, partial-thickness tearing, or neovascularization and to document baseline anatomy prior to in-hospital procedural planning. Typical codes: BL42ZZZ
A hospitalized patient develops unexpected worsening of forearm swelling and decreased wrist motion after recent tendon repair surgery; bedside ultrasonography is used to evaluate the repaired upper-extremity tendon for postoperative complications such as rerupture, fluid collection, or impaired tendon gliding that may necessitate return to the operating room. Typical codes: BL42ZZZ

Related Codes

BL40-UPPER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

BL41-LOWER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

BL43-LOWER-EXTREMITY-TENDONS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity Tendons: 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.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BL42ZZZ	Ultrasonography of Upper Extremity Tendons

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient is admitted from the emergency department after a fall onto an outstretched hand with acute pain, swelling, and marked loss of active finger extension suggesting possible distal biceps or extensor tendon injury; inpatient evaluation includes bedside real-time ultrasonography to assess for tendon discontinuity, retraction, or hematoma to guide urgent surgical consultation. Typical codes: BL42ZZZ
An inpatient orthopedic admission for planned evaluation of chronic lateral epicondylitis with persistent pain and functional limitation despite conservative outpatient treatment; real-time ultrasonography is performed to visualize tendon degeneration, partial-thickness tearing, or neovascularization and to document baseline anatomy prior to in-hospital procedural planning. Typical codes: BL42ZZZ
A hospitalized patient develops unexpected worsening of forearm swelling and decreased wrist motion after recent tendon repair surgery; bedside ultrasonography is used to evaluate the repaired upper-extremity tendon for postoperative complications such as rerupture, fluid collection, or impaired tendon gliding that may necessitate return to the operating room. Typical codes: BL42ZZZ

Related Codes

BL40-UPPER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

BL41-LOWER-EXTREMITY-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

BL43-LOWER-EXTREMITY-TENDONS-ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Tendons: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Upper Extremity Tendons Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

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

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity Tendons: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Upper Extremity Tendons Ultrasonography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedure is represented by `BL42ZZZ`?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is this code group categorized?

When should `BL42ZZZ` be used for inpatient documentation?

Why is accurate coding of `BL42ZZZ` important for reimbursement?

What clinical purposes do ultrasonography procedures in this group serve?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedure is represented by `BL42ZZZ`?

In which ICD-10-PCS section and body system is this code group categorized?

When should `BL42ZZZ` be used for inpatient documentation?

Why is accurate coding of `BL42ZZZ` important for reimbursement?

What clinical purposes do ultrasonography procedures in this group serve?

References