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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Ultrasound Procedures of the GenitaliaCPT cpt-76872-transrectal-ultrasound-prostate-evaluation
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    CPT 76872: Transrectal Ultrasound for Prostate and Rectal Evaluation

    Medicare pays $84 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76872 describes a transrectal ultrasound examination in which the provider inserts an ultrasound probe into the rectum to image and assess the prostate, rectum, and surrounding tissues; service type: diagnostic ultrasound procedure; typical site of service: outpatient radiology or urology clinic, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient department providing transrectal imaging.

    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 68-year-old man presents to a urology clinic with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and new-onset urinary hesitancy. The urologist performs a focused history and physical exam, reviews prior imaging and PSA trend, and recommends a transrectal ultrasound-guided evaluation of the prostate to measure prostate volume, identify hypoechoic lesions, and assist with targeted biopsy if indicated. The procedure is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or urology clinic procedure room. The patient is positioned in the left lateral decubitus or lithotomy position; the provider inserts a lubricated transrectal ultrasound probe to obtain axial and sagittal images of the prostate and seminal vesicles, documents findings, and communicates results to the patient. Local anesthesia or periprostatic nerve block may be administered prior to probe insertion when clinically indicated. The ultrasound study can be performed as a stand‑alone diagnostic service or immediately prior to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy as part of the same encounter when supported by documentation and applicable modifiers.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    55700Biopsy, prostate; needle or punch, single or multiple, any approachCommonly performed immediately following transrectal ultrasound when suspicious lesions are identified; ultrasound frequently guides needle placement.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretationUsed when the ultrasound is actively used to guide biopsy needle placement during a prostate biopsy.
    93000Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.
    51701Cystourethroscopy, diagnostic; with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing (separate procedure)May be performed in the urologic diagnostic workup in separate encounters; not performed simultaneously with transrectal ultrasound but part of overall evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms.
    99213Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically 15 minutesRepresents the E/M visit that often precedes the ultrasound for history, informed consent, and documentation of indications.

    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.,…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    208U00000X
    207P00000X
    208D00000X
    261QM0801X
    2278P1006X
    103TF0000X
    261QF0050X
    225700000X

    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-76870-SCROTAL-ULTRASOUND-TESTES-EVALUATION

    CPT 76870: Scrotal Ultrasound to Evaluate Testes

    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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