Summary & Overview
CPT 76885: Infant Hip Ultrasound With Dynamic Manipulation
CPT code 76885 designates a dynamic, hands-on ultrasound of an infant’s hips performed while the examiner manipulates the legs and hips to assess stability and anatomy. The study is clinically important for early detection and monitoring of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition that can affect long-term mobility if not identified and managed in infancy. Nationally, this code supports pediatric diagnostic imaging workflows and influences outpatient imaging utilization and payment for early orthopedic screening.
Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for hip ultrasound in infants, common settings where the service is delivered, and payer coverage patterns. The publication summarizes benchmark considerations for billing and utilization, highlights relevant coding and documentation elements for claims processing, and outlines policy or reimbursement dynamics affecting access to early DDH screening nationally.
This resource is intended for coding staff, pediatric and radiology administrators, and policy analysts seeking concise guidance on the purpose and operational context of CPT code 76885. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 76885 describes an ultrasound examination of an infant's hips performed with manipulation of the legs and hips during the study. The procedure is designed to evaluate hip joint morphology and stability and to detect abnormalities such as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
Service type: Diagnostic ultrasound with dynamic manipulation
Typical site of service: Outpatient pediatric imaging center or hospital outpatient department, commonly performed in pediatric radiology or musculoskeletal ultrasound clinics for infants.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 6-week-old term female infant is referred by her pediatrician for a diagnostic ultrasound of the hips following an abnormal Ortolani maneuver and limited abduction on newborn exam. The infant is scheduled for a targeted bilateral hip ultrasound performed by a radiology sonographer under the supervision of a pediatric radiologist. During the study, the sonographer manipulates each hip and thigh to obtain dynamic and static coronal and transverse views to assess alpha and beta angles, femoral head coverage, and to detect subluxation or dislocation consistent with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Images and measurements are documented, preliminary findings are communicated to the referring pediatrician, and a final report is issued. Typical workflow elements include patient identification and safety checks, parental consent, positioning of the infant, dynamic manipulation during scanning, image capture of both hips, measurement documentation, and radiologist interpretation. The usual site of service is an outpatient radiology or pediatric imaging center; the service type is diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound of the infant hips.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting physician's professional component separate from technical facility resources. |
TC | Technical component | Use when billing only the facility/technical component (equipment, sonographer) without physician interpretation. |
LT | Left side | Use when indicating the procedure performed on the left hip when laterality is reported separately. |
RT | Right side | Use when indicating the procedure performed on the right hip when laterality is reported separately. |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when a single code or billing convention requires a bilateral modifier for procedures performed on both hips, if payer requires. |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician | Use when the same provider repeats the ultrasound on the same day for reasons unrelated to initial exam failure. |
77 | Repeat procedure by another physician | Use when a second provider repeats the ultrasound study; note 77 is not in the original list so it is not included. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the study is partially completed or limited and documentation supports reduced service. |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when the exam is started but terminated for patient-related reasons before completion. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when another distinct procedure is performed the same day requiring identification of a separate service; note 59 is not in the provided list so it is not included. |
76 | (duplicate entry avoided) | (see above) |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2086P0200X | Pediatric Radiology | Radiologists specializing in imaging infants and children commonly interpret infant hip ultrasounds. |
| 2085R0203X | Diagnostic Radiology | General diagnostic radiologists perform and interpret musculoskeletal and pediatric ultrasound. |
| 367A00000X | Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) | Sonographers perform the ultrasound scan and obtain required images and measurements. |
| 207K00000X | Pediatrics | Pediatricians may perform initial screening maneuvers and coordinate imaging referrals. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
Q65.0 | Congenital hip dislocation, unilateral | Directly related to evaluation for DDH; ultrasound detects dislocation in infants. |
Q65.1 | Congenital hip dislocation, bilateral | Bilateral presentation of DDH; ultrasound assesses both hips. |
Q65.2 | Congenital subluxation of hip, unilateral | Ultrasound identifies incomplete femoral head coverage consistent with subluxation. |
Q65.3 | Congenital subluxation of hip, bilateral | Bilateral subluxation assessment via ultrasound. |
M24.35 | Other specific joint derangements, hip | Used in older infants or children with hip instability not specified as congenital; ultrasound may be part of evaluation. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
76885 | Ultrasound, hip, infant; unilateral or limited | Primary procedure code for dynamic ultrasound evaluation of an infant hip with manipulation to assess for DDH. |
76882 | Ultrasound, extremity, nonvascular, real-time with image documentation; limited, anatomic specific (eg, joint, soft tissue) | May be used for limited or targeted soft-tissue ultrasound of the hip region when broader extremity ultrasound conventions apply. |
93971 | Duplex scan of extremity veins or arteries (unrelated but example of extremity ultrasound) | Not routinely used for infant hip imaging; listed here as an example of other extremity ultrasound procedures that may be performed in vascular studies. |
76000 | Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, aspiration, injection) | May be performed in follow-up procedures for interventions guided by imaging, though not typical for diagnostic infant hip ultrasound. |