Limited real-time diagnostic ultrasound focused on a specific joint area or a single non-vascular extremity structure, such as one tendon, a ganglion, or a soft tissue mass.
- Medicare
- $64.13
- Work RVU
- 0.67
- Global, days
- Region
- Multi-region
Documentation requirements
What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 3 cited references ↓
- Specific structure or area examined
- Laterality
- Permanently recorded images
- Separate interpretation with findings and impression
- Diagnostic reason separate from any same-day guided procedure
Applicable modifiers
Modifiers commonly billed with this code.
Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual
What this code covers
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 3 cited references ↓
76882 is the limited extremity ultrasound. It fits when the exam targets one structure or one area: an Achilles tendon, a plantar fascia, a palpable lump on the forearm, a ganglion at the wrist, or one compartment of a joint. Most in-office ortho scans are focused, so they land here rather than under 76881.
The documentation still matters. Payers want recorded images and a separate interpretation that names the structure, describes the findings, and states the impression. A sentence in the HPI is not enough.
If the physician uses ultrasound only to guide a needle, do not bill 76882. Guidance is included in 20604, 20606, and 20611, and for other procedures it is reported with 76942. Billing 76882 on the same day as a guided procedure requires a distinct diagnostic purpose, a separate report, and usually modifier 59 or XU. Report laterality on every line.
RVU & reimbursement
Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.
Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026
Work RVU vs. total RVU
The work RVU (0.67) is the surgeon's own effort — the figure physician pay and productivity targets are built on. The total RVU (1.92) adds practice overhead and malpractice, and is what drives the Medicare payment below.
| Work RVU | 0.67 |
| Practice expense RVU | 1.2 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.05 |
| Total RVU | 1.92 |
| Medicare national rate | $64.13 |
| Global period | days |
Payment by site of service
Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.
Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026
| Setting | Medicare rate (national) |
|---|---|
Office (PFS non-facility) Procedure performed in physician's office | $64.13 |
HOPD (APC 5522) Hospital outpatient department | $106.81 |
Common denial reasons
The recurring reasons claims for CPT 76882 get rejected.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓
- Ultrasound used only for needle guidance
- No recorded images
- No separate interpretation
- Billed with 20604, 20606, or 20611 without a distinct diagnostic purpose
- Missing laterality
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 3 cited references ↓
01When should I use 76882 instead of 76881?
02Can I bill 76882 with an ultrasound-guided injection?
03Is 76882 billable for an Achilles tendon ultrasound?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources.
Mira Scribe
Mira Scribe notes record which structure was scanned and what the physician saw, so a limited diagnostic ultrasound is backed by a clear interpretation.
See how Mira captures CPT 76882 documentation