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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Ultrasound Procedures of the Abdomen and RetroperitoneumCPT cpt-76770-retroperitoneal-ultrasound-complete-real-time
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    CPT 76770: Complete Retroperitoneal Ultrasound with Real-Time Imaging

    Medicare pays $74 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76770 describes a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound with real-time image documentation used to evaluate abdominal structures such as the kidneys, urinary bladder, and aorta; the service is an diagnostic ultrasound imaging procedure typically performed in an outpatient radiology or hospital imaging setting to assess retroperitoneal organs and vascular structures.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal Incontinence.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old male with a history of hypertension and smoking presents to the outpatient radiology suite with flank pain and hematuria. The referring clinician orders a retroperitoneal ultrasound to evaluate the kidneys, urinary bladder, and abdominal aorta for possible hydronephrosis, renal mass, renal cysts, bladder pathology, or aortic aneurysm. The patient is registered, vitals obtained, and consent confirmed for a noninvasive ultrasound. A sonographer performs a complete real-time ultrasound exam of the retroperitoneum, documenting standard anatomic views of both kidneys, the bladder, and the visualized abdominal aorta. Doppler imaging is added if vascular flow assessment is indicated. Images and cine loops are archived in the PACS. The interpreting physician (radiologist) reviews images, generates a finalized report describing findings (for example, hydronephrosis on the right kidney and a 3.5 cm infrarenal aortic aneurysm), and provides impression and recommendations. Billing is submitted for the complete ultrasound procedure using 76770 with appropriate modifier(s) to reflect professional/technical components, site of service, or unusual circumstances.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76770Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, bladder), completePrimary code for a complete real-time retroperitoneal ultrasound
    76705Ultrasound, abdominal, complete; without contrastOften performed when a more extensive abdominal survey is required in addition to retroperitoneal views
    76775Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, bladder), limited or follow-upUsed for focused or limited follow-up exams when only a small region is scanned
    93975Duplex scan of abdominal arteries including evaluation of flow (eg, aorta)Performed when detailed vascular flow assessment of the aorta or renal arteries is required
    74420Radiologic examination, retroperitoneal, excretory (urography), including tomography when performedAlternate imaging modality sometimes used for urinary tract evaluation when ultrasound findings are inconclusive
    76770Ultrasound, retroperitoneal (eg, renal, aorta, bladder), complete(Note: primary code repeated to reflect primary billing use)

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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.,…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207R00000X
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    2080P0208X
    2082S0105X
    261QA3000X
    103TP0016X
    207YX0901X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E11.22Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease
    E87.1Hypo-osmolality and hyponatremia
    I82.401Acute embolism and thrombosis of unspecified deep veins of right lower extremity
    N10Acute pyelonephritis
    N11.0Nonobstructive reflux-associated chronic pyelonephritis
    N17.9Acute kidney failure, unspecified
    N20.0Calculus of kidney
    N20.1Calculus of ureter
    N20.2Calculus of kidney with calculus of ureter
    N21.0Calculus in bladder

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation for Functional Abdominal Pain Disordersbcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Radiofrequency Therapy for Fecal IncontinenceCigna2026-10-15
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA)Premera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Gastroesophageal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Services and ProceduresColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-10-01
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    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, Real-Time

    CPT-76706-ABDOMINAL-AORTA-ULTRASOUND-ANEURYSM-SCREENING

    CPT 76706: Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound for Aneurysm Screening

    CPT-76775-LIMITED-RETROPERITONEAL-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76775: Limited Retroperitoneal Ultrasound (Renal/Aortic)

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

    CPT 76776: Ultrasound of Transplanted Kidney(s) with Color Doppler

    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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