Coding for ultrasound-guided aspiration of a Baker’s cyst in knee and of fluid in right calf

Q.

We performed an ultrasound-guided aspiration of a Baker’s cyst in the knee followed by a right calf fluid collection, both using ultrasound guidance. What CPT^® codes should we use, and do we charge for one or two guidance procedures? Is there an additional code for the puncture?

A.

For the Baker’s cyst, assign CPT code 20612 plus 76942. For the calf aspiration, I would assign CPT code 10160. You would not report guidance for the calf aspiration separately since 76942 was already billed once.