Summary & Overview
CPT 0689T: Ultrasound Quantitative Tissue Analysis with Interpretation
CPT code 0689T designates a diagnostic service in which ultrasound imaging data are analyzed using software to generate quantitative tissue metrics, followed by clinician interpretation and a formal report. This code captures an advanced post-processing and interpretation workflow that supplements standard ultrasound imaging by providing objective, quantitative tissue characterization. Nationally, such services are relevant for practices and payers focused on imaging-driven precision diagnostics, particularly in specialties that rely on tissue characterization for management decisions.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of how the service is defined, typical sites of service, and the clinical and billing contexts where the code is applied. The publication outlines common modifiers used with the service, the typical clinical settings and service lines, and guidance on what information is commonly required for documentation and reporting.
The content summarizes benchmarking considerations and policy-relevant points for national payers, highlights potential areas of utilization growth as quantitative imaging tools disseminate, and clarifies aspects of the service that affect coding and claim submission. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0689T describes a service in which the provider uses ultrasound imaging data and software to perform quantitative tissue analysis, then delivers an interpretation and written report. This procedure is a diagnostic imaging-derived analytic service that combines image acquisition data with specialized post-processing to produce quantitative tissue metrics and a clinician interpretation.
Service type: Quantitative ultrasound image analysis with interpretation and report
Typical site of service: Imaging center or hospital outpatient department
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with a history of chronic liver disease and focal liver lesions is referred for advanced ultrasound tissue characterization. The sonographer acquires high-quality grayscale and Doppler images and uploads raw ultrasound data into specialized quantitative analysis software. The interpreting physician (radiologist or hepatologist with ultrasound expertise) runs software algorithms to quantify tissue stiffness, echogenicity, and perfusion parameters, compares results to prior imaging, documents quantitative metrics, and issues a formal interpretation and report to the referring clinician. Typical site of service is an outpatient radiology or specialty clinic ultrasound suite or hospital outpatient imaging center. The clinical workflow includes image acquisition, software-based quantitative analysis, physician interpretation, report generation, and transmission of findings to the referring provider.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician interpretation and report separate from technical imaging. |
TC | Technical component | Use when billing only the technical component (equipment and technologist) without interpretation. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when the quantitative ultrasound analysis is a distinct service separate from other imaging performed the same day. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the quantitative analysis is partially reduced or incomplete but still reportable. |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the analysis was started but discontinued for patient safety or tolerance issues. |
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work required is substantially greater than typical for this analysis and documentation supports it. |
62 | Two surgeon technique | Use when two physicians of the same specialty jointly provide the interpretation under applicable rules (rare for imaging). |
78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room | Use when an unplanned repeat quantitative analysis occurs intra- or post-procedure for complication management. |
80 | Assistant surgeon | Use when an assistant surgeon or physician provides documented assistance relevant to the procedure interpretation workflow. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate a separate and independent service (listed once in the table to emphasize clinical relevance). |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207RX0200X | Radiology | Diagnostic imaging specialists who interpret ultrasound quantitative analyses. |
| 207L00000X | Diagnostic Radiology | Radiologists commonly perform or interpret advanced ultrasound quantitative reports. |
| 2084P0800X | Gastroenterology | Hepatologists or gastroenterologists who request and interpret liver tissue quantification. |
| 207K00000X | Vascular Surgery | Vascular specialists who may use quantitative ultrasound for vascular tissue characterization. |
| 207RC0000X | Internal Medicine | Hospitalists or internists ordering and reviewing quantitative ultrasound reports in inpatient settings. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Data not available in the input. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
76700 | Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; limited (e.g., single organ, follow-up) | Often performed immediately before quantitative analysis to acquire baseline images and raw data for software analysis. |
76705 | Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; complete | Performed when a full abdominal survey is obtained; quantitative software may analyze subsets of these images. |
93976 | Duplex scan of renal arteries, including spectral and color flow, with image documentation, complete study | Vascular ultrasound studies may be acquired in conjunction with tissue quantification when perfusion metrics are relevant. |
76942 | Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy), imaging supervision and interpretation | May precede tissue characterization when targeted biopsy is planned based on quantitative findings. |
99173 | Screening test of visual acuity; intermediate (used as an example of screening codes) | Not directly related clinically but sometimes listed in workflows for multi-modality screening pathways (include only as contextually adjacent services). |