OB ultrasound coding, explained
The short answer
Obstetric ultrasounds are billed outside the global OB package. Pick the code by trimester and depth of the exam: 76801/76805 for standard first and second trimester scans, 76811 for the detailed high-risk survey, 76815/76816 for limited and follow-up studies, and 76817 for transvaginal. Imaging codes split into professional and technical components with modifiers 26 and TC.
Source: NCCISource: CMS MPFS 2026Source: ACOG/SMFM
AIUM Accreditation for OB Ultrasound Billing The practice credential many payers require before they will pay 76811, and increasingly 76813. AIUM First Trimester Obstetric Ultrasound CPT 76801 code description in plain language: the complete first trimester OB ultrasound before 14 weeks. 76801 vs 76805, documentation, rates, and denials. 76801 First Trimester Ultrasound, Each Additional Fetus CPT 76802 code description in plain language: the add-on code for each additional fetus on a complete first trimester ultrasound. Billing with 76801, twins, and denials. 76802 Standard Fetal Anatomy Ultrasound CPT 76805 code description in plain language: the standard second trimester anatomy ultrasound. 76805 vs 76811, documentation checklist, 2026 rates, TC/26 splits, and denials. 76805 Standard Anatomy Ultrasound, Each Additional Fetus CPT 76810 code description in plain language: the add-on code for each additional fetus on a standard anatomy ultrasound. Billing with 76805, twins, and common denials. 76810 Detailed Fetal Anatomy Ultrasound CPT 76811 code description in plain language: the detailed fetal anatomy ultrasound for high-risk pregnancies. When to use 76811 vs 76805, documentation requirements, 2026 Medicare rates, TC/26 splits, and common denials. 76811 Detailed Anatomy Ultrasound, Each Additional Fetus CPT 76812 code description in plain language: the add-on code for each additional fetus on a detailed 76811 anatomy ultrasound. High-risk twins, credentialing, and denials. 76812 Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound CPT 76813 code description in plain language: the nuchal translucency ultrasound at 11 to 14 weeks. NTQR/FMF credentialing, billing with 76801, rates, and denials. 76813 Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound, Each Additional Fetus CPT 76814 code description in plain language: the add-on code for each additional fetus on a nuchal translucency ultrasound. Billing with 76813, twins, and denials. 76814 Limited Obstetric Ultrasound CPT 76815 code description in plain language: the limited OB ultrasound for a quick, focused question. 76815 vs 76816, once-per-encounter rule, rates, and denials. 76815 Follow-up Obstetric Ultrasound CPT 76816 code description in plain language: the follow-up OB ultrasound for growth checks and reassessing known findings. 76816 vs 76815, per-fetus billing, denials. 76816 Transvaginal Obstetric Ultrasound CPT 76817 code description in plain language: the transvaginal OB ultrasound. Billing with a transabdominal scan same day, cervical length checks, rates, and denials. 76817 Biophysical Profile with Non-Stress Test CPT 76818 code description in plain language: the biophysical profile with non-stress test. Why 59025 is not billed separately, 76818 vs 76819, rates, and denials. 76818 Biophysical Profile without Non-Stress Test CPT 76819 code description in plain language: the biophysical profile without non-stress test. When to pair with 59025, 76819 vs 76818, rates, and denials. 76819 Umbilical Artery Doppler CPT 76820 code description in plain language: umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry for growth restriction surveillance. Billing with growth scans, rates, and denials. 76820 Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler CPT 76821 code description in plain language: middle cerebral artery Doppler for fetal anemia surveillance. MCA-PSV billing, pairing with 76820, rates, and denials. 76821 Fetal Echocardiography CPT 76825 code description in plain language: the complete fetal echocardiogram for suspected congenital heart disease. Billing with 76827, follow-ups, rates, denials. 76825 Fetal Echocardiography, Follow-up CPT 76826 code description in plain language: the follow-up fetal echocardiogram for reassessing a known cardiac finding. Billing after 76825, rates, and denials. 76826 Fetal Doppler Echocardiography CPT 76827 code description in plain language: complete Doppler echocardiography of the fetal heart. Billing alongside 76825, follow-up code 76828, rates, and denials. 76827 Fetal Doppler Echocardiography, Follow-up CPT 76828 code description in plain language: follow-up Doppler echocardiography of the fetal heart. Pairing with 76826, serial surveillance billing, and denials. 76828