Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 76706: Ultrasound of Abdominal Aorta for Aneurysm Screening

CPT code 76706 represents an ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta used primarily to screen for or evaluate an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). As a focused vascular imaging procedure, it is important for early detection of aneurysmal dilation, which can prevent life‑threatening rupture when identified and managed. Nationally, this procedure is commonly performed in outpatient imaging centers, hospital outpatient departments, and ambulatory clinics and is part of preventive and diagnostic vascular care pathways.

Key payers included in the coverage discussion are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for AAA screening and diagnostic use, typical sites of service, and the types of benchmarks and policy considerations that commonly accompany vascular ultrasound billing. The publication summarizes reimbursement benchmarks where available, highlights common documentation and coding considerations tied to vascular imaging, and outlines potential policy updates or payer practice trends that affect access and payment for abdominal aorta ultrasound services.

This summary is targeted to coding professionals, practice managers, and policy analysts seeking a concise national overview of the clinical purpose and payer landscape for CPT code 76706 and what to expect in detailed sections covering benchmarks, coverage nuances, and clinical context.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 76706 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 76706 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 76706 describes a noninvasive ultrasound of the abdominal aorta performed to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) — a focal dilation or weakening of the aortic wall that can lead to rupture if undetected. The procedure uses high‑frequency sound waves to create images of the abdominal aorta and assess its size and contour.

Service Type: Screening/Diagnostic Ultrasound

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient imaging center, hospital outpatient department, or clinic

Data not available in the input.

Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 76706: Ultrasound of Abdominal Aorta for Aneurysm Screening

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 76706 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 76706 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

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

Billing Code Overview

Service Type: Screening/Diagnostic Ultrasound

Typical Site of Service: Outpatient imaging center, hospital outpatient department, or clinic

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old male with a history of smoking and hypertension is seen in the vascular lab for screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The patient reports no abdominal pain but has risk factors including male sex, age over 65, and prior tobacco use. The clinical workflow begins with a referral from the primary care provider or vascular specialist. The patient arrives at an outpatient vascular ultrasound facility or hospital radiology department. The sonographer documents history, explains the procedure risks and benefits, and performs a focused transabdominal ultrasound of the abdominal aorta from the diaphragmatic hiatus to the iliac bifurcation, obtaining transverse and longitudinal measurements, documenting maximal anterior–posterior diameter, and saving images. A interpreting physician (radiologist, vascular surgeon, or cardiologist) reviews the images, provides a formal report noting aorta size, presence of aneurysm or thrombus, and recommendations for surveillance or referral. Results are communicated to the referring clinician for follow-up management.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when only the physician interpretation/report is billed separate from technical service.

TC | Technical component | Use when only the facility/technical portion (equipment, sonographer) is billed.

59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when another ultrasound or procedure performed at a separate anatomic site or distinct service on same day requires separation.

52 | Reduced services | Use when the ultrasound is attempted but full study cannot be completed and a reduced service is reported.

53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the exam is started but discontinued for patient safety or intolerance.

76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Use when the same physician repeats the ultrasound later the same day.

77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | Use when a different physician repeats the ultrasound the same day.

26 and TC are CMS-standardized components; include only one or both as appropriate. GA | Waiver of liability statement on file (coverage denied as not reasonable/necessary) | Use when an ABN-like waiver exists and payer requires documentation.

QK | Medical direction of 2-4 ancillary personnel | Use when physician-directed performance meets CMS supervision rules for multiple technologists.

QX | Service performed by certified individual under modifier requirements | Use for services performed by a qualified sonographer when billing requires certification modifier.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2080S00000X`	Vascular Surgery	Common interpreting or ordering specialty for AAA screening and surveillance.

207R00000X | Radiology (Diagnostic Radiology) | Frequently interprets and reports vascular ultrasound studies.

207T00000X | Cardiology | Performs and interprets vascular ultrasound in some settings, especially cardiovascular risk assessment.

246Z00000X | Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) | Represents the sonographer/ultrasound technologist performing the study.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I71.3`	Abdominal aortic aneurysm, ruptured	Indicates an emergent aneurysm; ultrasound may identify aneurysm and signs suggesting rupture prompting urgent care.

I71.4 | Abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture | Primary diagnosis for surveillance and screening ultrasound to measure aneurysm size and growth.

Z13.6 | Encounter for screening for cardiovascular disorders | Used when the ultrasound is performed as an AAA screening exam in an asymptomatic high-risk individual.

I70.0 | Atherosclerosis of aorta | Atherosclerotic disease may coexist and be assessed during abdominal aortic ultrasound.

R10.9 | Unspecified abdominal pain | Symptom-driven imaging when patient presents with abdominal pain and clinician assesses for aortic pathology.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`76700`	Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; complete	Performed when a comprehensive abdominal ultrasound is needed in addition to targeted aortic screening.

76705 | Ultrasound, abdominal, limited or follow-up | Used when a focused limited abdominal ultrasound is required, for example, to follow a previously identified aortic abnormality.

93975 | Duplex scan of abdominal arteries (eg, renal, mesenteric) including evaluation of blood flow | Performed when additional arterial duplex evaluation is needed beyond aortic diameter, such as renal or mesenteric artery assessment.

93306 | Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation | May be performed in the same patient when broader cardiovascular assessment is indicated, though not the same anatomic region.

72195 | Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; without contrast material | Performed as a follow-up modality to further characterize an aneurysm or preoperative planning when ultrasound is inadequate.

Related Codes

CPT-76700-COMPLETE-ABDOMINAL-ULTRASOUND

CPT 76700: Complete Abdominal Ultrasound with Real-Time Imaging

CPT-76705-LIMITED-ABDOMINAL-ULTRASOUND

CPT 76705: Limited Abdominal Ultrasound

CPT-76770-RETROPERITONEAL-ULTRASOUND-COMPLETE-REAL-TIME

CPT 76770: Retroperitoneal Ultrasound, Complete with Real-Time Imaging

CPT-76775-LIMITED-RETROPERITONEAL-ULTRASOUND

CPT 76775: Limited Retroperitoneal Ultrasound, Focused Abdominal Imaging

CPT-76776-TRANSPLANT-KIDNEY-ULTRASOUND-COLOR-DOPPLER

CPT 76776: Ultrasound of Transplanted Kidney with Color Doppler

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

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.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when only the physician interpretation/report is billed separate from technical service.