Principles of Billing for Diagnostic Ultrasound in the Office and Operating Room

Beatrice L Grasu; Bruce S Wolock; Matthew D Sedgley; Michael S Murphy

doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.03.034

Principles of Billing for Diagnostic Ultrasound in the Office and Operating Room

J Hand Surg Am. 2019 Jan;44(1):55-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.03.034. Epub 2018 May 8.

Authors

Beatrice L Grasu¹, Bruce S Wolock¹, Matthew D Sedgley², Michael S Murphy³

Affiliations

¹ Curtis National Hand Center, Medstar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
² MedStar Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Ellicott City, MD.
³ Curtis National Hand Center, Medstar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address: anne.mattson@medstar.net.

PMID: 29751979
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.03.034

Abstract

Ultrasound is becoming more prevalent as physicians gain comfort in its diagnostic and therapeutic uses. It allows for both static and dynamic evaluation of conditions and assists in therapeutic injections of joints and tendons. Proper technique is necessary for successful use of this modality. Appropriate coding for physician reimbursement is required. We discuss common wrist and hand pathology for which ultrasound may be useful as an adjunct to diagnosis and treatment and provide an overview of technique and reimbursement codes when using ultrasound in a variety of situations.

Keywords: Billing; coding; imaging; ultrasound.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Ambulatory Care*
Bone Screws
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
Clinical Coding*
Collateral Ligament, Ulnar / diagnostic imaging
Collateral Ligament, Ulnar / injuries
De Quervain Disease / diagnostic imaging
Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
Hand / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Injections, Intra-Articular
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement*
Intraoperative Care
Operating Rooms*
Ultrasonography*
Wrist / diagnostic imaging