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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Ultrasound Procedures of the ExtremitiesCPT cpt-76882-limited-extremity-ultrasound-nonvascular
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    CPT 76882: Limited Extremity Ultrasound Study

    Medicare pays $44 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76882 describes a limited diagnostic ultrasound of one or more nonvascular structures in an extremity, performed with real-time imaging displayed on a monitor and a permanent image documented in the medical record; service type: limited extremity ultrasound study; typical site of service: outpatient imaging suite, physician office, or hospital outpatient department.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Members, Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policy, Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP]).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 45-year-old office worker who presents to an outpatient radiology or orthopedic clinic with focal lateral forearm pain after a fall onto an outstretched hand. The referring provider documents localized swelling and point tenderness over the distal radius/ulnar soft tissues and requests a limited extremity ultrasound to evaluate for a focal tendon tear, small joint effusion, or soft-tissue foreign body. The patient is checked in at the clinic front desk, medical history and allergies are reviewed, and consent for an ultrasound examination is obtained.

    A sonographer or physician performs a limited, focused ultrasound of the affected extremity using high-frequency linear transducers. Real-time imaging is captured and key still images and cine loops are stored in the PACS; a permanent report is documented in the medical record. The interpreting provider reviews imaging for findings such as partial-thickness tendon tear, focal fluid collection, ganglion cyst, or foreign body. Results are communicated to the referring clinician and incorporated into the plan of care, which may include immobilization, clinic-based procedures, or referral to orthopedics.

    Typical site of service is an outpatient radiology clinic, ambulatory surgery center (if performed as part of a procedure), urgent care center, or physician office. The service type is a limited diagnostic ultrasound of one or more nonvascular structures in an extremity and is billed as a focused, non-comprehensive imaging study using code 76882.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76882Ultrasound, extremity, nonvascular, real time with image documentation, limitedPrimary code for a focused, limited extremity soft-tissue ultrasound study.
    76881Ultrasound, extremity, nonvascular, real time with image documentation, completePerformed when a comprehensive, bilaterally or multi-compartment evaluation is required instead of a limited study.
    20526Injection, therapeutic; tendon sheath, ligament, or ganglion cyst, upper or lower extremity, with ultrasound guidanceOften performed following diagnostic limited ultrasound when aspiration or corticosteroid injection is indicated; ultrasound guidance may be used for needle placement.
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee)If the limited ultrasound identifies an effusion in a major joint, ultrasound guidance can facilitate aspiration/injection.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretationBilled when real-time ultrasound guidance is provided for needle placement during a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure in the extremity.

    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…
    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…
    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…
    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.,…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207L00000X
    363A00000X
    207K00000X
    163WG0100X
    133VN1006X
    2278G0305X
    207RH0003X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP])Cigna2026-10-15
    Metatarsophalangeal Joint ReplacementCigna2026-10-15
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-76881-COMPLETE-JOINT-ULTRASOUND-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 76881: Complete Joint Real-Time Ultrasound

    CPT-76883-COMPREHENSIVE-PERIPHERAL-NERVE-ULTRASOUND-EXTREMITY

    CPT 76883: Comprehensive Extremity Nerve Ultrasound

    CPT-76885-INFANT-HIP-DYNAMIC-ULTRASOUND-FOR-DDH-EVALUATION

    CPT 76885: Infant Hip Ultrasound with Manipulation

    CPT-76886-INFANT-HIP-ULTRASOUND-DIAGNOSTIC-IMAGING

    CPT 76886: Ultrasound of the Hip in Infants

    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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