Emergency medicine ultrasound policies and reimbursement guidelines.

Every emergency medicine physician should be knowledgeable of current emergency medicine expert policy and recommendations regarding the use of ultrasound imaging technology in the emergency department. In the last 3 years, a number of publications have provided critical information on practice management and reimbursement issues relating to bedside ultrasound performed by emergency physicians. This article summarizes the salient points of these publications. Because of their potential impact and relevance to emergency medicine, specific policies issued from the general house of medicine that relate to ultrasound technology also are included.