Question:
Question:
If a percutaneous thyroid biopsy is ordered and we perform a thyroid ultrasound prior to the biopsy to localize the nodule to be biopsied, may we code 76536 in addition to 60100 and 76942?
Answer:
Answer:
No, the localization ultrasound is considered part of the guidance for the biopsy and is included in 76942. If a diagnostic thyroid ultrasound is ordered, and based on findings the decision is made to proceed to an ultrasound-guided biopsy (and that decision is documented), then it would be appropriate to code the following:
| 76536 | Ultrasound, soft tissues of head and neck (e.g., thyroid, parathyroid, parotid), real time with image documentation |
| 60100 | Biopsy thyroid, percutaneous core needle |
| 76942-59 | Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation |