What this is, in plain language
An ultrasound exam of the upper abdomen — typically the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
Why a clinician orders it
Right-upper-quadrant pain, abnormal liver tests, suspected gallstones, or follow-up of known findings.
Medical necessity — what insurers usually look at
Ultrasound is generally lower-cost than CT or MRI and typically does not require prior authorization. ACR Appropriateness Criteria recommend ultrasound as first-line for suspected biliary disease.
Documentation to ask about
- ✓Symptoms
- ✓Lab results
- ✓Reason for the study
Questions for your provider
- ?Is the imaging facility in my network?
Why this code is in our seed set
Common imaging code in the CMS Top 200; the most-billed complete abdominal ultrasound code.
Validated against
- •CMS Top 200 Level I CPT Codes Ranked by Services
- •ACR Appropriateness Criteria, Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- •AMA CPT code 76700 descriptor
Terms you'll see
Medical NecessityRead more →
The insurer is reviewing whether the service is clinically appropriate for your situation.
Important: AuraCode is an educational tool. It does not provide medical, legal, or insurance advice, claims decisions, or approval guarantees. Final coverage depends on your specific plan, eligibility, diagnosis, submitted documentation, and your insurer's review.