🩺
1500 Claim BillingBETA
Sign In

76700 CPT Code: Ultrasound Abdomen Complete Rules

Last Updated: December 21, 2025

CPT 76700 is for a complete ultrasound of the abdomen. It is frequently downgraded to a limited scan during audits because the sonographer failed to document all required organs.

Interactive Medical Coding Assistant

Look up CPT/HCPCS/ICD-10 rules, check NCCI bundling edits, verify Medicare LCD coverage, or check provider NPIs instantly.

2026 Medicare National Fee (76700): Non-Facility (Office): $150.78 · Facility (Hospital): $150.78

The 8 Required Organs

To bill a complete scan (76700), the report MUST include an evaluation of all of the following:

  1. Liver
  2. Gallbladder
  3. Common bile duct
  4. Pancreas
  5. Spleen
  6. Kidneys (Both left and right)
  7. Upper abdominal aorta
  8. Inferior vena cava (IVC)

If even one of these organs is not visualized (e.g., obscured by bowel gas) and no attempt is documented, you must down-code to the limited scan: CPT 76705.

Medical Necessity

Verify Medical Necessity

Don't risk a denial. See if your ICD-10 code is on the approved Medicare LCD list.

Common indications for a complete abdominal ultrasound include elevated liver enzymes (R53.8 ↗), right upper quadrant pain (R10.11 ↗), or jaundice.

NCCI Edits

If you perform a complete abdominal scan (76700) and a retroperitoneal scan (76770) on the same day, Medicare will bundle them unless strong medical necessity justifies both distinct regions.

Check Codes, NCCI Edits & Medical Necessity in Seconds

Use our free Medical Coding Assistant to lookup CPT/ICD-10 descriptions, check Medicare LCD rules, verify NPIs, or auto-fill CMS-1500 claims with AI.