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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Ultrasound Procedures of the Pelvis ObstetricalCPT cpt-76815-limited-fetal-ultrasound
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    CPT 76815: Limited Fetal Ultrasound Examination

    Medicare pays $56 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76815 describes a limited fetal ultrasound examination in which the provider performs focused imaging and assessment of specified fetal parameters for one or more fetuses; this is a diagnostic ultrasound service typically performed in an outpatient radiology or obstetrics clinic, hospital outpatient department, or maternal-fetal medicine setting to evaluate discrete concerns or follow-up findings rather than a complete anatomic survey.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Abortion Services, Prolonged Services for Labor Management, Prolonged Services for Labor Management.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old pregnant patient at 22 weeks' gestation presents to the obstetric ultrasound suite for a focused, limited fetal ultrasound 76815 requested by the maternal–fetal medicine specialist because of a single, specific concern: reduced fetal movement reported by the patient the previous evening. The outpatient visit begins with brief clinical intake documenting last fetal movement, maternal vital signs, and pertinent prenatal history. The sonographer performs a targeted limited fetal exam to assess the identified parameter(s) — for example, fetal presentation, fetal heart activity (cardiac motion and rate), amniotic fluid volume, or placental location — rather than a comprehensive anatomical survey.

    The provider documents the specific indication prompting the limited exam, the exact parameters evaluated, ultrasound findings for those parameters, and any immediate clinical interpretation or recommendation. If the imaging identifies an urgent abnormality (absent cardiac activity, significant oligohydramnios, or malpresentation requiring immediate management), the provider communicates results to the ordering clinician and documents the communication and any plan. Typical sites of service include the outpatient obstetrics clinic, hospital-based labor and delivery unit, and freestanding imaging centers that offer obstetric ultrasound.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76816Complete fetal ultrasound — detailed anatomic fetal surveyPerformed when a comprehensive anatomic survey is required after or instead of a limited exam.
    76805Obstetrical ultrasound, fetal and maternal evaluation, first trimester (less than 14 weeks 0 days)Related for early pregnancy evaluations; not typically used at later gestational ages in conjunction with 76815.
    76811Limited fetal Doppler study (e.g., umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery)Performed when focused hemodynamic assessment is needed in addition to the limited anatomic assessment.
    76817Ultrasound, transvaginal, fetal and maternal evaluationUsed when a transvaginal approach is required to evaluate early pregnancy or cervix in conjunction with a limited exam.
    76930Ultrasound guidance for needle placementMay be used when the limited ultrasound identifies an indication for an invasive procedure (amniocentesis) requiring image guidance.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    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.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207V00000X
    390200000X
    207L00000X
    2084F0202X
    207ZP0213X
    2278P4000X
    207VH0002X
    163WC0200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    8 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    O20.0Threatened abortion
    O21.0Mild hyperemesis gravidarum
    O21.1Hyperemesis gravidarum with metabolic disturbance
    O21.2Late vomiting of pregnancy
    O30.011Twin pregnancy, monochorionic/monoamniotic, first trimester
    O30.012Twin pregnancy, monochorionic/monoamniotic, second trimester
    O30.021Conjoined twin pregnancy, first trimester
    O30.022Conjoined twin pregnancy, second trimester

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Abortion ServicesNew Mexico Health Care Authority2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesBlue Cross Blue Shield - Massachusetts2026-10-01
    Cervical Cancer ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Testing for Fetal AneuploidyOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnosis of VaginitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Screening (Nongenetic)Oscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-76801-FIRST-TRIMESTER-TRANSABDOMINAL-OBSTETRIC-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76801: First-Trimester Transabdominal Obstetric Ultrasound

    CPT-76802-ADD-ON-TRANSABDOMINAL-ULTRASOUND-ADDITIONAL-GESTATIONAL-SAC

    CPT 76802: Transabdominal Ultrasound for Additional Gestational Sac

    CPT-76805-TRANSABDOMINAL-OBSTETRIC-ULTRASOUND-SECOND-TRIMESTER

    CPT 76805: Transabdominal Obstetric Ultrasound, >14 Weeks

    CPT-76810-ADD-ON-TRANSABDOMINAL-ULTRASOUND-ADDITIONAL-GESTATION

    CPT 76810: Transabdominal Ultrasound for Additional Gestation Sacs

    CPT-76811-OBSTETRIC-TRANSABDOMINAL-ULTRASOUND-FETAL-ANATOMY-SURVEY

    CPT 76811: Transabdominal Obstetric Ultrasound with Detailed Fetal Anatomy

    CPT-76812-ADD-ON-TRANSABDOMINAL-ULTRASOUND-ADDITIONAL-FETUS-DETAILED-EXAM

    CPT 76812: Transabdominal Detailed Examination of Additional Fetus

    CPT-76813-FIRST-TRIMESTER-NUCHAL-TRANSLUCENCY-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76813: First-Trimester Fetal Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound

    CPT-76814-FIRST-TRIMESTER-NUCHAL-TRANSLUCENCY-ADD-ON

    CPT 76814: First‑Trimester Fetal Nuchal Translucency Measurement

    CPT-76816-FOLLOW-UP-FETAL-ULTRASOUND-REEXAMINATION

    CPT 76816: Fetal Reexamination After Abnormal Transabdominal Ultrasound

    CPT-76817-TRANSVAGINAL-OBSTETRIC-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76817: Transvaginal Ultrasound of Pregnant Uterus

    Showing 1–10 of 18

    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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