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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Ultrasound Procedures of the Head and NeckCPT cpt-76506-echoencephalography-intracranial-ultrasound
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    CPT 76506: Echoencephalography (Cranial Ultrasound)

    Medicare pays $76 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76506 describes echoencephalography, a noninvasive diagnostic ultrasound exam that images and measures intracranial structures in real time to detect hemorrhage, fluid collections, masses, or shifts of midline brain structures; the service type is diagnostic ultrasound imaging and the typical site of service is hospital radiology or outpatient imaging center where real-time cranial ultrasound and optional one-dimensional cerebral recordings are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Office-based Laryngeal Procedures, Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for New Mexico Only), Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Kentucky Only).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a neonate or critically ill adult admitted to a hospital who requires rapid, noninvasive assessment of intracranial structures for suspected intracranial hemorrhage, mass effect, hydrocephalus, or midline shift. The provider (often a radiologist, neonatologist, or neurologist) performs 76506 at the bedside or in an imaging suite. The clinical workflow begins with an order from the treating team for acute neurologic change (for example apnea, altered mental status, bulging fontanelle in an infant, unequal pupils, or focal neurologic deficits). The patient is prepared and positioned for transcranial ultrasound windows; the sonographer or physician obtains real‑time ultrasound images of intracranial anatomy, documents measurements, and records dynamic findings. A one‑dimensional recording of electrical activity of the brain may be obtained concurrently if clinically indicated and available. The interpreting provider reviews images, measures ventricular size and midline position, identifies hemorrhage, mass effect, or fluid collections, generates a diagnostic report, and communicates urgent findings to the treating team. Typical sites of service include the neonatal intensive care unit, emergency department, inpatient wards, and hospital radiology departments. This procedure is noninvasive, frequently used when CT/MRI are impractical or to serially monitor intracranial status over time.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76536Ultrasound, transcranial Doppler, nonimaging; unilateral or limited studyPerformed when evaluation of cerebral blood flow velocities is needed in conjunction with anatomical intracranial assessment.
    92610Motion analysis for swallowing (note: unrelated)Data not available in the input.
    95812Electroencephalogram (EEG), routine awake and drowsyMay be performed in the same encounter to evaluate cerebral electrical activity when seizure or encephalopathy is a concern; complements 76506 when electrical monitoring is required.
    70450CT head/brain without contrastOften performed before or after 76506 when more detailed anatomic or hemorrhage characterization is required or when ultrasound windows are limited.
    70551MRI brain without contrastPerformed when detailed intracranial soft tissue evaluation or mass characterization is needed following ultrasound findings.

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RH0000X
    2084N0400X
    207K00000X
    374J00000X
    163WN0002X
    333300000X
    2080P0006X
    174MM1900X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Office-based Laryngeal ProceduresPremera Bluecross2026-10-06
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Hearing Aids and Devices Including Wearable, Bone-Anchored, and Semi-Implantable (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (for Oxford Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking AgentsUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking AgentsUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Sinus Surgeries and Interventions (for North Carolina Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Nebraska Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Injectable Dermal Fillers and Bulking Agents (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-76510-OCULAR-ULTRASOUND-B-SCAN-AND-A-SCAN

    CPT 76510: Ocular B‑scan and Quantitative A‑scan Ultrasound

    CPT-76511-QUANTITATIVE-A-SCAN-OPHTHALMIC-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76511: Quantitative A‑scan Ultrasound of Intraocular/Orbital Structures

    CPT-76512-B-SCAN-OPHTHALMIC-ULTRASOUND-EYE-ORBIT

    CPT 76512: B‑scan Ultrasound of Intraocular and Orbital Structures

    CPT-76513-IMMERSION-B-SCAN-ANTERIOR-SEGMENT-IMAGING

    CPT 76513: Anterior Segment Imaging with Immersion B-Scan or Biomicroscopy

    CPT-76514-CONTACT-B-SCAN-CORNEAL-THICKNESS-PACHYMETRY

    CPT 76514: Corneal Thickness Measurement by Contact B-Scan

    CPT-76516-A-SCAN-OCULAR-AXIAL-LENGTH-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 76516: A-scan Ultrasound Axial Length Measurement

    CPT-76519-A-SCAN-OCULAR-BIOMETRY-IOL-CALCULATION

    CPT 76519: A-scan Ultrasound Axial Length for IOL Calculation

    CPT-76529-OPHTHALMIC-ULTRASOUND-INTRAOCULAR-FOREIGN-BODY-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 76529: Ophthalmic Ultrasound Localization of Intraocular Foreign Body

    CPT-76536-HEAD-NECK-SOFT-TISSUE-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76536: Ultrasound, Soft Tissues of Head and Neck

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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