2025 CPT code 76977
Effective Date: N/A Radiology Procedures > Diagnostic Ultrasound Procedures Feed
Ultrasound bone density measurement and interpretation, peripheral site(s), any method.
Modifiers 26 (Professional Component) and TC (Technical Component) can be used with this code if appropriate.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established when there is a clinical suspicion of osteoporosis or a need to monitor bone health in patients at risk for bone loss.
The physician prepares the patient and positions the ultrasound transducer over the bone to be examined. The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves, which pass through the bone and generate echoes. The echoes provide data about bone density, which is recorded by a computer system. This method commonly assesses bone density in the heel and patella. The physician then interprets the results.
In simple words: The doctor uses high-frequency sound waves to measure how dense your bones are at places like your wrist or knee. This helps check for conditions like osteoporosis. The procedure is quick, painless, and doesn't use radiation. The code includes both the test itself and the doctor's explanation of the results.
This procedure involves measuring bone density at one or more peripheral sites (such as the wrist or knee) using ultrasound. The service includes both the measurement and its interpretation.
Example 1: A 65-year-old female patient with a family history of osteoporosis presents for a bone density screening. Due to concerns about radiation exposure, she opts for an ultrasound bone density measurement of her heel., A 50-year-old male patient with a history of long-term steroid use is monitored for osteoporosis. An ultrasound bone density measurement of his wrist is performed to assess his bone health., A 70-year-old female patient has a previous DXA scan indicating osteopenia. A follow-up ultrasound bone density measurement of her heel is performed to monitor changes in her bone density.
Documentation should include the medical reason for the test (e.g., family history of osteoporosis, long-term steroid use), the site(s) measured (e.g., heel, wrist), the method used, the measurement results, and the physician's interpretation of the results.
- Specialties:Radiology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital Outpatient, Independent Clinic, Mobile Unit