Nonvascular Extremity Ultrasound

Nonvascular extremity ultrasound is covered for diagnostic evaluation of the arms and legs for cysts, abscesses, tumors, effusions, tendon and ligament pathology, plantar fascia conditions when indicated, intermetatarsal neuroma, stress fractures, soft-tissue masses, and localization/removal of foreign bodies. Coverage is limited to nonvascular studies of the extremities, must be performed by qualified personnel under general physician supervision, and is not medically necessary for several routine superficial conditions (e.g., bunions, uncomplicated cellulitis, paronychia, plantar warts, superficial abscesses) or for repeat exams beyond reasonable limits; bilateral studies require documented pathology in both extremities. Specific documentation is required for cases that would otherwise be excluded (e.g., obscured clinical diagnosis or failed conservative management for plantar fasciitis), and more than two exams on the same extremity within six months is rarely reasonable.