What are common 76700 billing pitfalls?

- Billing 76700 when only one or two organs were imaged. If fewer than the required set was acquired, the correct code is 76705 (limited). - Billing 76700 plus 76770 (retroperitoneal complete) on the same date for the same patient when both anatomic surveys were not actually performed. Each requires its own complete organ set documented. - Reading an abdominal US plus a separate gallbladder US on the same day and billing both. The gallbladder is part of 76700.

How much does 76700 pay in 2026?

2026 work RVU for 76700 is 0.81. National Medicare non-facility allowable is approximately $76.15 at the 2026 conversion factor. Adjust for locality GPCI and your payer's contracted conversion factor for actual payment.

Radiology · CMS status A

76700

Q: What documentation does 76700 require?

- Order with indication. - Documented imaging of ALL the required organs to support 76700 versus 76705: liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, aorta, IVC. - Report addresses each organ; any limitations (gas, body habitus) noted. - Static images saved for each organ.

Abdominal ultrasound, complete

Complete abdominal ultrasound including liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, abdominal aorta, and inferior vena cava. CMS 2026 global wRVU 0.81, total RVU approximately 2.28, Medicare global allowable approximately $76. Limited abdomen (76705) covers a single organ or focused question and pays less.

Radiology Outpatient IM GI Hospitalist

Model in calculator →Audit a note

Work RVU

0.81

2026 Medicare pays

$76.15

National GPCI · non-facility · CF $33.4009

RVU anatomyWork 0.81 + Practice 1.42 + Malpractice 0.05 = 2.28 total

Work (your effort)Practice expenseMalpractice

When to use it

Use 76700 when a comprehensive abdominal survey is performed and all required organs are imaged. Standard indications: RUQ pain workup (gallstones, cholecystitis, cholangitis), elevated LFTs, suspected cirrhosis, abdominal mass, organomegaly, ascites characterization, and pre-treatment baseline for chronic liver disease.

Full guidance

76705 (limited abdomen) is used for a focused question (e.g., "gallbladder only") or when only specific organs are imaged.

Documentation checklist

✓Order with indication.
✓Documented imaging of ALL the required organs to support 76700 versus 76705: liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, aorta, IVC.
✓Report addresses each organ; any limitations (gas, body habitus) noted.
✓Static images saved for each organ.
✓Setting modifier; signed by interpreting physician.

Common pitfalls

!Billing 76700 when only one or two organs were imaged. If fewer than the required set was acquired, the correct code is 76705 (limited).
!Billing 76700 plus 76770 (retroperitoneal complete) on the same date for the same patient when both anatomic surveys were not actually performed. Each requires its own complete organ set documented.
!Reading an abdominal US plus a separate gallbladder US on the same day and billing both. The gallbladder is part of 76700.
!Missing aorta visualization. The aorta is one of the required organs for 76700; if not visualized, the report cannot legitimately code 76700.
!Confusing 76700 with 76705 due to incomplete imaging. Document why a complete survey could not be performed if limited (technical limitation, patient body habitus).

Common modifiers

26TC

Common ICD-10 pairings

R10.10K80.50K76.0R16.0R17R18.8

Payer notes

Medicare and most commercial payers cover 76700 routinely. Outpatient prior authorization is rare for abdominal ultrasound. Document the complete organ set; payers occasionally audit for completeness when 76700 is billed at a high frequency for a given practice.