CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
76700 — Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; complete
A complete ultrasound exam of the abdomen that evaluates all major organs including the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, and abdominal aorta using sound waves.
- Typical setting: Hospital, imaging center, OB clinic
- National avg charge (illustrative): $100–$250 Medicare allowed; $150–$600 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 76700 (complete) when only a limited study (76705) was performed — complete requires evaluation of all specified organs; if any are not evaluable, 76705 should be used
What it means
What 76700 actually means
A complete ultrasound exam of the abdomen that evaluates all major organs including the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, and abdominal aorta using sound waves. It is a non-invasive, radiation-free test commonly used to evaluate right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, or suspected gallstones.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing 76700 (complete) when only a limited study (76705) was performed — complete requires evaluation of all specified organs; if any are not evaluable, 76705 should be used
- Billing 76700 and 76770 (retroperitoneal ultrasound) on the same date without clear documentation that each was separately ordered and distinct in scope
- Duplicate billing of ultrasound and a CT/MRI of the same region on the same date without documented separate clinical indications
If you see 76700 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 76700 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
70470 — CT head/brain with and without contrast
If contrast wasn't given, 70470 is the wrong code.
CPT
70486 — CT maxillofacial area; without contrast material
Imaging — verify professional + technical components weren't double-billed.
CPT
70551 — MRI brain without contrast
Same scan can be 5x cheaper at a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71045 — Chest X-ray, single view
Same image can cost 10x more at a hospital than a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71046 — Chest X-ray, two views (PA + lateral)
Two-view CXR is standard. Watch the price gap between hospital and freestanding.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 76700 on a bill.
76700 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 76700 usually cost?
$100–$250 Medicare allowed; $150–$600 commercial; varies by region. Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 76700?
Billing 76700 (complete) when only a limited study (76705) was performed — complete requires evaluation of all specified organs; if any are not evaluable, 76705 should be used
What should I do if I see 76700 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 76700 before paying.
Don't pay 76700 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.