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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Ultrasound Procedures of the GenitaliaCPT cpt-76870-scrotal-ultrasound-testes-evaluation
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    CPT 76870: Scrotal Ultrasound to Evaluate Testes

    Medicare pays $68 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76870 describes a diagnostic ultrasound of the scrotal pouch to evaluate the testes for disorders such as masses, torsion, infection, or other abnormalities; this is an imaging service typically performed in an outpatient radiology or ultrasound suite, or a hospital outpatient setting, and includes real-time sonographic assessment of the testicles and surrounding scrotal structures.

    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 male presents to the outpatient radiology clinic with acute unilateral scrotal pain and swelling of 8 hours' duration after strenuous activity. The emergency department or primary care provider ordered a scrotal ultrasound to evaluate for testicular torsion, epididymitis, hydrocele, varicocele, or testicular mass. The sonographer performs a focused diagnostic ultrasound of the scrotal contents, including gray-scale and color Doppler imaging of both testes and epididymides, with comparison views as indicated. Images and Doppler waveforms are reviewed by the interpreting physician (urologist or radiologist). Findings are documented in the radiology report and communicated urgently if an emergent diagnosis such as torsion is suspected.

    Typical site of service is the outpatient radiology department, emergency department, or hospital imaging suite. The clinical workflow includes triage and consent, ultrasound exam performed by a sonographer, real-time image acquisition with Doppler, preliminary communication of critical results, formal physician interpretation, and final report entry into the electronic medical record.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76870Ultrasound, scrotum and contents, real time with color flow doppler when performedPrimary code for diagnostic scrotal ultrasound assessing testes, epididymis, and scrotal contents.
    93922Limited duplex scan of peripheral arteries or veins; real-time with image documentation, single extremityPerformed when evaluation of lower-extremity venous thrombosis is clinically relevant in systemic presentations (not routine).
    76937Ultrasound guidance for percutaneous needle placementUsed when a procedure such as aspiration of hydrocele or biopsy is performed under ultrasound guidance following diagnostic exam.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration), imaging supervision and interpretationSimilar use for procedures that require real-time guidance after diagnostic ultrasound.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the patient to the laboratoryBilled if specimen obtained during procedure requires handling (dependent on payor rules).

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0206X
    208000000X
    2084P0800X
    363A00000X
    2251E1300X
    208M00000X
    3140N1450X
    332S00000X

    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-76872-TRANSRECTAL-ULTRASOUND-PROSTATE-EVALUATION

    CPT 76872: Transrectal Ultrasound for Prostate and Rectal Evaluation

    CPT-76873-TRANSRECTAL-PROSTATE-ULTRASOUND-BRACHYTHERAPY-PLANNING

    CPT 76873: Transrectal Ultrasound for Prostate Brachytherapy Planning

    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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