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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Diagnostic Ultrasound ProceduresCPT cpt-76988-intraoperative-ultrasound-congenital-heart-evaluation
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    CPT 76988: Intraoperative Cardiac Ultrasound Transducer Placement and Imaging

    Medicare pays $77 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76988 describes intraoperative ultrasound transducer placement, manipulation, and image acquisition for diagnostic imaging of the heart to evaluate congenital heart disease during an operation; service type: intraoperative diagnostic ultrasound; typical site of service: operating room or procedure suite where cardiac surgery or intraoperative imaging is performed.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A pediatric patient with suspected congenital cardiac anomaly is taken to the operating room for a corrective cardiac procedure. During the operation the cardiac surgeon requests intraoperative ultrasound imaging to evaluate intracardiac anatomy, guide repair, and confirm satisfactory results. The anesthesiology team secures the airway and monitors hemodynamics while a cardiologist or trained sonographer places a sterile transesophageal or epicardial ultrasound probe on the heart (or into the esophagus) to acquire real-time diagnostic images. Image acquisition includes transducer placement, manipulation, and recording of diagnostic images while the surgical team performs reparative steps. Images are reviewed intraoperatively to assess lesion morphology, valve function, conduit patency, and the need for immediate revision. Documentation includes indication, probe type (transesophageal or epicardial), start and stop times for imaging, operator, findings, and any intraoperative changes prompted by imaging.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    93312Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation (2D) with or without M-mode; single planeOften performed pre- or post-repair in the OR when a comprehensive transesophageal study is required beyond targeted intraoperative imaging
    93320Doppler echocardiography, intraoperative, with spectral and color flow for congenital cardiac assessmentPerformed alongside imaging to evaluate blood flow, gradients, and valve regurgitation intraoperatively
    93350Transesophageal echocardiography during surgery; insertion, placement and interpretationUsed for intraoperative TEE services where interpretation and probe placement are included — may overlap with 76988 depending on documentation
    76937Ultrasound guidance for vascular access (e.g., central venous catheter), imaging supervision and interpretationMay be performed during cardiac surgery for line placement or cannulation using ultrasound guidance
    93306Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation (2D) with Doppler, completePerformed preoperative or postoperative for baseline and follow-up assessment around the operative episode

    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…
    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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207K00000X
    207RP1001X
    207L00000X
    363A00000X
    261QF0400X
    1835N1003X
    282J00000X
    225XL0004X

    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-76978-CONTRAST-ENHANCED-MICROBUBBLE-ULTRASOUND-LESION-ASSESSMENT

    CPT 76978: Targeted Microbubble Contrast‑Enhanced 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-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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