ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: Our ED physician recently performed a limited aortic ultrasound using the hospitals equipment. Notes indicate that the physician conducted the ultrasound and interpreted the results. Are we allowed to report this service? Alabama Subscriber Answer: Yes, you can report the ultrasound with 76775 (Ultrasound, retroperitoneal [e.g., renal, aorta, nodes], real time with image documentation; limited). Append modifier 26 (Professional component) to 76775 to show that you are only coding for your physician's services. Also: To keep the claim compliant, be sure you have the following on record: " A formal report on the ultrasound encounter. This must be equivalent to a report that a specialist in the field (meaning a radiologist) might provide. " An image of the ultrasound copy in retrievable format-- either a printed copy of some of the ultrasound views, or a file on a computer disc or hard drive that you can easily recall if [...]