CPT code 76705

What does CPT code 76705 mean on a medical bill?

This is an ultrasound of part of your belly, usually aimed at one organ such as the gallbladder rather than surveying everything. There is a separate code for a complete abdominal ultrasound, so the report should describe what the technologist actually looked at. As with x-rays and CT scans, the picture and the radiologist's reading are billed as two different charges, sometimes by two different companies.

What does CPT code 76705 usually cost?

Billed as a hospital charge for the machine and technologist plus a radiologist charge for the reading. A bedside ultrasound done by the emergency doctor is a different service and should not produce a second full imaging charge for the same look.

What should I watch out for with CPT code 76705?

• The complete abdominal ultrasound code billed when the report covers one organ
• A bedside ultrasound by the emergency doctor and a formal ultrasound billed as if both were full studies
• A reading billed by a radiologist with no report in the records you received