Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Q.

Is CPT^® code 76706 only for a Welcome to Medicare exam, or any physical exam, where the patient meets the criteria for having this screening? I have a 44-year-old- that we did a screening ultrasound for. Can we assign CPT code 76706 even if he doesn’t have Medicare?

A.

CPT^® code 76706 is screening for AAA.

The code and full description are as follows:

76706  Ultrasound, abdominal aorta, real time with image documentation, screening

            study for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

It doesn’t really have anything to do with the Welcome to Medicare visit, although it may be performed at the time of that visit. It isn’t, however, required to be completed at that time though. Medicare patients may be allowed one AAA screening over the course of their “Medicare” life.

The code may also be reported for non-Medicare patients according to their insurance policy.