CPT code 76989 designates the interpretation and report only for intraoperative ultrasound imaging of the heart used to evaluate congenital heart disease during surgery. Nationally, this code matters because it separates the diagnostic interpretation from the technical imaging and procedural services, enabling distinct capture of physician cognitive work provided intraoperatively. Key payers included in this review are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find a concise explanation of what the code represents, typical clinical contexts where it is used, and the sites of service where it is most often billed. The publication summarizes payer coverage patterns and common practice-level billing considerations, and highlights where benchmarks and policy clarifications may affect billing for interpretation-only intraoperative cardiac ultrasound. The content is intended to inform coding staff, clinical program leaders, and policy analysts about classification, typical use cases, and areas where payer rules and documentation requirements commonly influence reimbursement and compliance.