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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Diagnostic Ultrasound ProceduresCPT cpt-76978-contrast-enhanced-microbubble-ultrasound-lesion-assessment
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    CPT 76978: Targeted Microbubble Contrast‑Enhanced Ultrasound

    Medicare pays $119 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76978 describes targeted microbubble contrast–enhanced ultrasound in which the provider injects lipid- or protein‑coated gas‑filled microsphere contrast and performs a focused ultrasound examination to assess lesions suspicious for malignancy or evaluate organ perfusion (for example, liver or kidney); service type: contrast‑enhanced diagnostic ultrasound with microbubble contrast agent; typical site of service: outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology/ultrasound suite for focused lesion or organ perfusion evaluation.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with a history of colorectal cancer surveillance presents for characterization of a focal liver lesion identified on recent CT. The ordering oncologist requests targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound with intravenous microbubble agent to evaluate lesion vascularity and to help distinguish benign from malignant features prior to biopsy or treatment planning. The patient arrives at an outpatient radiology suite. A registered nurse or technologist confirms identity, reviews allergies, and establishes IV access. The interpreting radiologist (or credentialed sonographer under physician supervision) performs baseline grayscale and Doppler ultrasound of the liver, administers the lipid- or protein-coated gas-core microbubble contrast agent per manufacturer and institutional protocols, and acquires targeted contrast-enhanced sonographic images of the lesion during arterial, portal venous, and late phases. The radiologist documents real-time enhancement patterns, compares to prior imaging, and issues a report describing lesion enhancement characteristics and recommendations for further management. Typical site of service: outpatient radiology department, hospital outpatient imaging center, or specialized ultrasound suite. Procedure type: targeted microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination with intravenous administration of contrast material.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    76700Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; completeOften performed prior to contrast administration to document baseline grayscale and Doppler evaluation.
    76705Ultrasound, limited, real time with image documentation; abdomenUsed when a focused non-contrast exam precedes or complements targeted contrast-enhanced imaging of a specific lesion.
    49429Image-guided diagnostic peritoneal tap (when applicable)May be performed after contrast ultrasound if fluid sampling is indicated; included as potential related image-guided diagnostic procedure.
    76937Ultrasound guidance for retention of localization or for therapeutic injection proceduresMay be used when ultrasound guidance is required for biopsy or localized therapy following contrast-enhanced lesion characterization.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretationOften billed when contrast-enhanced ultrasound guides a subsequent biopsy or ablation of the targeted lesion.

    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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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
    207RR0500X
    207RH0002X
    207RH0000X
    207K00000X
    207RH0003X
    1835N1003X
    2081P0010X
    320800000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C16.9Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecified
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C22.0Liver cell carcinoma
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C49.9Malignant neoplasm of connective and soft tissue, unspecified
    C56.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary
    C64.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified kidney, except renal pelvis
    C78.5Secondary malignant neoplasm of large intestine and rectum
    C78.6Secondary malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum and peritoneum
    C78.7Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Cardiac Electrophysiological (EP) Studies and Cardiac Ablation of Abnormal Electrical RhythmsCigna2027-01-15
    IvabradineCigna2026-11-15
    Tilt Table TestingCigna2026-11-15
    Outpatient Cardiology Procedures for EviCore Arrangement (for Oxford Only)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-11-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure Reimbursement PolicyHealthfirst2026-11-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-76975-ENDOSCOPIC-ULTRASOUND-SUPERVISION-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 76975: Endoscopic Ultrasound Supervision and Interpretation

    CPT-76977-PERIPHERAL-BONE-DENSITY-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76977: Peripheral Bone Density Measurement by Ultrasound

    CPT-76979-TARGETED-CONTRAST-ENHANCED-ULTRASOUND-MICROBUBBLE

    CPT 76979: Additional Microbubble Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

    CPT-76981-ULTRASOUND-ELASTOGRAPHY-ORGAN-BASELINE-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 76981: Ultrasound Elastography for Organ Tissue Assessment

    CPT-76982-ULTRASOUND-ELASTOGRAPHY-SUSPICIOUS-LESION

    CPT 76982: Ultrasound Elastography for Suspicious Lesion

    CPT-76983-ULTRASOUND-ELASTOGRAPHY-SUSPICIOUS-LESION

    CPT 76983: Ultrasound Elastography of Additional Suspicious Lesion

    CPT-76984-INTRAOPERATIVE-THORACIC-AORTA-ULTRASOUND

    CPT 76984: Intraoperative Ultrasound Imaging of Thoracic Aorta

    CPT-76987-INTRAOPERATIVE-CARDIAC-ULTRASOUND-CONGENITAL-HEART-DISEASE

    CPT 76987: Intraoperative Cardiac Ultrasound Guidance

    CPT-76988-INTRAOPERATIVE-ULTRASOUND-CONGENITAL-HEART-EVALUATION

    CPT 76988: Intraoperative Cardiac Ultrasound Transducer Placement and Imaging

    CPT-76989-INTRAOPERATIVE-CARDIAC-ULTRASOUND-INTERPRETATION-REPORT

    CPT 76989: Intraoperative Cardiac Ultrasound Interpretation for Congenital Heart Disease

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    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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