What is CPT Code 93306

Definition of CPT code 93306

CPT code 93306 is a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code the American Medical Association maintains. This code comes under the range of “Echocardiography Procedures.”

In this article, you will learn about the coding of echocardiography procedures, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), description of 93306, reimbursement and billing guidelines for 93306, modifiers used with 93306, examples of 93306, and frequently asked questions about 93306.

What are Echocardiography Procedures

The non-invasive diagnostic test uses ultrasound techniques to produce images of the heart. These procedures help view the heart function and blood flow.

Some of the echocardiography procedures are as follows:

1. Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE): With the help of a transducer, a probe into the esophagus. The heart, heart valves, abnormalities in the aorta, and any blood clots can be seen easily with the help of created images by using this procedure.

2. Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE): In this procedure, a transducer is placed on the chest wall to get the images. It is the most commonly practiced procedure among all other echocardiography procedures.

3. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography: This procedure provides a three-dimensional image of the heart and its surrounding structures with the help of either transthoracic echocardiography or transesophageal echocardiography probes. A three-dimensional image offers an improved assessment of all the heart structures, including valves, heart chambers, and vessels.

4. Stress Echocardiography: Stress Echocardiography performs after a physical exercise or medication-induced stress. Both images are compared to assess the function of the heart at rest and during stress, the difference between both conditions, blood supply during rest and exertion, and any abnormalities such as coronary artery disease.

5. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography: In many cases, when the patients cannot perform any physical activity or undergo any physical exertion, administering dobutamine is an option to induce stress. The doctor conducts the echocardiography after administering dobutamine medication to assess heart function during work and stress.

6. Fetal Echocardiography: It assesses the fetus’s heart, identifies any possible congenital heart diseases or abnormalities, and performs echocardiography during pregnancy. Early detection proves helpful in managing any cardiac abnormalities.

Description of CPT Code 93306:

“Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation (2D), includes M-mode recording when performed, complete, with spectral Doppler echocardiography and color flow Doppler echocardiography.”

What kind of echocardiography does 93306 cover

CPT code 93306 covers Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE). It is a non-invasive and two-dimensional study. The following is the complete procedure of transthoracic echocardiography, which should be mentioned in the patient’s medical report to confirm the CPT 93306:

• The patient lies on an examination table, and a cardiologist, trained nurse, or sonographer performs the procedure.
• The person performing the ECG applies a gel on the patient’s chest and places a transducer on different chest areas.
• The transducer produces the sound waves, captures them as they bounce off various structures in the heart, and converts them into detailed images on a monitor.
• The healthcare provider then examines the images to rule out any abnormalities and evaluate the functioning and condition of the heart.

CPT code 93306 reports a complete evaluation, including spectral and color flow Doppler, as described above. This procedure provides information about intra-cardiac blood flow and hemodynamics. It requires real-time images and documentation of two-dimensional and M-mode images of bilateral atria and ventricles, spectral and color Doppler over the valves (mitral/bicuspid, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary), pericardium, and the surrounding portions.

CPT Code 93306 Coding and Billing guidelines:

It is important to meet the following criteria to bill the CPT 93306:

• It is a Two-dimensional selected M-mode (motion-mode) examination.
• The bilateral (left and right) atria, The bilateral ventricles, The aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves, The pericardium, and Surrounding portions of the aorta
• A report indicating the reason for performing the procedure (if the information does not evaluate all the structures listed above for limited transthoracic echocardiography report 93308)
• If there is a follow-up, Report 93308 as a follow-up code for 93306.
• As 93306 reports for a transthoracic examination with spectral and color Doppler, it excludes the transthoracic examination without spectral and color Doppler. In that case, use CPT 93307.
• Refrain from reporting Add-on codes 93320, 93321, and 93325 with 93306. 93320 and 93325 because there is a bundling issue in these codes. You can resolve this bundling issue between CPT codes with 59 modifiers.
• Submitting CPT 93306 performed in conjunction with CPT 93350 is medically inappropriate, as it includes 93306 services.
• When congenital heart disease is suspected but not found during echocardiography, always report the non-congenital echocardiography codes instead of using 93306.
• Do not submit CPT codes 93014, 93041, 93306, 93307, and 93308 on the same service date because of their inclusivity, as they do not represent independent services.

What Modifiers with CPT code 93306

Append Modifiers 26 (professional component) and TC (technical component)when the ECG service performs in a hospital setup. No modifier is required when the doctor performs the service in an office setting.

Uses of CPT code 93306:

Transthoracic echocardiography covered under 93306 can help evaluate the heart condition as follows:

1. It assesses the overall cardiac function, the heart’s pumping capacity, pericardium thickness, and cardiac valves’ motion.

2. It helps diagnose any structural and congenital defects, tumors, fluid accumulation around the heart, and structural defects in the valves.

3. It shows the atria and ventricles and any possible abnormalities with these chambers, like cardiomyopathy, enlarged chambers, etc.

4. It helps check normal blood flow and diagnose any abnormalities in blood flow, such as clot formation, regurgitation, or obstructions in vessels.

5. It also monitors the ongoing treatment and its effectiveness. It helps healthcare providers to assess the progress of the treatment and any changes in the heart’s function, thus improving overall healthcare services.

Examples:

Scenario #1:

Visit a patient at a cardiologist’s office who assesses their cardiac function and screen for abnormalities by performing complete transthoracic echocardiography and providing the interpretation after evaluating the images.

CPT code: 93306- Echocardiography, Transthoracic

Modifiers: None

Diagnosis Codes: Any relevant code after complete evaluation

Scenario #2:

A cardiologist performs transthoracic echocardiography to assess the cardiac function and condition, valve integrity, and identify potential risks or complications as a preoperative evaluation on a patient scheduled for cardiac surgery.

Billing information:

CPT code: 93306- Echocardiography, Transthoracic

Modifiers: Appropriate modifiers, such as -56, are required for preoperative evaluation.

Diagnosis Codes: Any relevant code after complete evaluation

Frequently asked questions:

See Also

CPT Code 99204

CPT Code 99203

97153 CPT Code

CPT Code for MRI

CPT Codes for CT Abdomen and Pelvis with Contrast

90837 CPT Code

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