Urology Coding Alert
Observe Recent Ultrasound Coding Changes
Question: When a urologist performs a prostate biopsy in the operating room (OR) with the assistance of a physician assistant (PA) from the Radiology Department, does the urologist only bill the biopsy code 55700 (Biopsy, prostate; needle or punch, single or multiple, any approach)? Should the PA report the professional component (PC) and technical component (TC) of the ultrasound guidance and transrectal ultrasound — 76942 and 76872, right? In the office we usually bill for 76942 and 76872 because we have our own ultrasound technician. AAPC Forum Member Answer: According to recent changes in coding for this scenario, you should only bill one of the ultrasound codes, either 76872 (Ultrasound, transrectal) for the transrectal ultrasound or 76942 (Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation) for the ultrasound guidance. In the OR, the radiology PA will bill for the ultrasound code he performed.
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