April 28, 2016

Question:
I performed an ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. What ultrasound code should be used to reflect the guidance?

Answer:
Codes 36470 and 36471, Injection of sclerosing solution, may be reported with code 76942, Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation. Remember that ultrasound guidance procedures require permanently recorded images of the site to be localized, as well as a documented description of the localization process, either separately or within the report of the procedure for which the guidance is utilized.

Source CPT Assistant May 2015.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 04/28/16.