CurrentEmpire BluecrossPolicy C-22004

Three-Dimensional (3D) Radiology Services

Defines Empire Bluecross's reimbursement stance that 3D radiology rendering is considered an included part of the imaging study and is not separately reimbursable for professional and facility claims unless contracts or mandates require otherwise; applies to commercial reimbursement.

Policy Summary

PayerEmpire Bluecross

PolicyThree-Dimensional (3D) Radiology Services

Policy CodePolicy C-22004

Change TypeRemoved state exemptionconsolidated professional and facility policies

Effective DateMay 1, 2026

Next Review Date

Key ActionDo not bill 76376 or 76377 separately; include 3D rendering in the imaging study per contracts, mandates, and standard billing guidelines.

SourceLink

POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

Removed Connecticut facility exemption and clarified the policy applies to both professional and facility services as a single blended policy.

23D rendering codes referenced (76376, 76377)

NoneExplicit exemptions to policy

IncludedReimbursed as part of imaging study

05/01/2026Policy effective date

Coverage Determination for 3D Radiology Rendering

Policy Summary

PayerEmpire Bluecross

PolicyThree-Dimensional (3D) Radiology Services

Policy CodePolicy C-22004

Change TypeRemoved state exemptionconsolidated professional and facility policies

Effective DateMay 1, 2026

Next Review Date

Key ActionDo not bill 76376 or 76377 separately; include 3D rendering in the imaging study per contracts, mandates, and standard billing guidelines.

SourceLink

On This Page

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Coverage rules for 3D radiology rendering

Covered when ALL of the following are met:

3D radiology rendering (including CPT 76376 and 76377) is considered an elective visual enhancement included in the reimbursement for the imaging study and is not eligible for separate reimbursement.

Modifiers will not override edits that disallow separate reimbursement for CPT 76376 and CPT 76377.

There are no exemptions to this policy.

Provider, state, or federal contracts and/or mandates may supersede this policy and require different handling.

Relevant Procedure Codes

3D radiology rendering codesCPTNot Covered

76376	3D rendering with interpretation and reporting of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or other tomographic modality with image postprocessing under concurrent supervision; not requiring image post-processing on an independent workstation. Not eligible for separate reimbursement; modifiers will not override these edits.
76377	3D rendering with interpretation and reporting of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or other tomographic modality with image postprocessing under concurrent supervision; requiring image post-processing on an independent workstation. Not eligible for separate reimbursement; modifiers will not override these edits.

Billing Guidance and Provider Responsibilities

Billing Rule

3D rendering billed as part of the imaging study — not separately reimbursable

3D radiology rendering is considered included in the reimbursement for the imaging study and is not eligible for separate reimbursement; follow applicable provider, state, or federal contracts and mandates and use proper billing and submission guidelines. Claims may be rejected, denied, or recovered if coding/billing guidelines are not followed.

3D radiology services are elective visual enhancements and are included in the imaging study reimbursement.
If provider, state, or federal contracts and/or mandates require different handling, those contracts/mandates supersede this policy.
Use industry-standard compliant CPT/HCPCS codes and proper billing/submission guidelines to avoid claim denials or recoveries.

Definitions

3D radiology (rendering of imaging studies) — definition

Term3D radiology (rendering of imaging studies)

DefinitionThe reconstruction of multiple thin sections of images into 3D images which can display anomalies or structures and enhance visualization of pathology.

ScopeApplies to rendering performed as part of imaging studies (e.g., CT, MRI, ultrasound) and described as reconstruction of thin sections into 3D views.

Reimbursement implicationConsidered an elective visual enhancement of the imaging study; reimbursement stance is that it is included in the imaging service unless contracts or mandates require otherwise.

Related codesSee CPT 76376 and 76377 for 3D rendering services referenced in this policy.