As many would know, the term CPT tends to refer to the current procedural terminology. This important code is quite prevalent in the entire United States of America and it actually allows for a very effective system of billing when it comes to the medical domain. In this article, we discuss CPT code 93306 which is used for Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
The importance of the CPT code matters in the cases when you want your bill to be valid under the Medicare system. As the codes are unique and they tend to be uniform All around The United States of America, hence their use is also quite widespread.
What Does The CPT CODE 93306 Signify?
Speaking in very simple terms the CPT code 993306 is unique whereas it is used to refer to the subject of transthoracic echocardiography.
Cardiac ultrasound, or echocardiography, is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows healthcare professionals to visualize the heart’s structure, function, and blood flow using high-frequency sound waves. Procedure code 93306 refers explicitly to performing and interpreting a complete transthoracic echocardiogram, one of the most common cardiac ultrasound examinations.
This procedure involves placing a transducer, a device that emits and receives sound waves, on the patient’s chest. The transducer emits sound waves that bounce off the heart’s structures, creating real-time images that can be viewed on a monitor. Procedure code 93306 encompasses the entire process, including the acquisition of images, their interpretation, and the subsequent reporting of findings.
Those who do not know about this code and its use of it, get familiar when billing their Medicare. It is a non-invasive procedure that is often used to study various situations like the function of the heart, the flow of the blood, and even the heart valves in certain cases.
The transthoracic echocardiography procedure has to be conducted in a medical facility and hence the CPT code 93306 has been signified.
Remember, if you want to bill under this domain, this particular code has to be mentioned under all circumstances.
Because you need to be sure that the bill is valid and you get the proper reimbursement from your medical services.
Also Read: 99205 CPT Code Description and Fee Schedule
Importance of Procedure Code 93306
Cardiac ultrasound is vital in diagnosing various cardiac conditions, assessing the heart’s health, and guiding treatment decisions. Procedure code 93306 allows healthcare providers to gather critical information about the heart’s size, shape, motion, and functioning of its valves. By evaluating these aspects, medical professionals can identify abnormalities or potential issues, enabling them to formulate an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Additionally, procedure code 93306 provides valuable insights into the blood flow patterns within the heart and major blood vessels. This information is crucial in assessing the efficiency of cardiac function and identifying conditions such as valve disorders, congenital heart defects, heart murmurs, heart failure, and other structural abnormalities.
Procedure Codes List Related to 93306 (Cardiac ultrasound, or echocardiography)
| CPT Codes | Description |
| 76376 | 3D RENDERING WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORTING OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, ULTRASOUND, OR OTHER TOMOGRAPHIC MODALITY WITH IMAGE POSTPROCESSING UNDER CONCURRENT SUPERVISION |
| 76377 | 3D RENDERING WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORTING OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, ULTRASOUND, OR OTHER TOMOGRAPHIC MODALITY WITH IMAGE POSTPROCESSING UNDER CONCURRENT SUPERVISION; REQUIRING IMAGE POSTPROCESSING ON AN INDEPENDENT WORKSTATION |
| 93303 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY FOR CONGENITAL CARDIAC ANOMALIES; COMPLETE |
| 93304 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY FOR CONGENITAL CARDIAC ANOMALIES; FOLLOW-UP OR LIMITED STUDY |
| 93306 | ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TRANSTHORACIC, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, COMPLETE, WITH SPECTRAL DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, AND WITH COLOR FLOW DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY |
| 93307 | ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TRANSTHORACIC, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, COMPLETE, WITHOUT SPECTRAL OR COLOR DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY |
| 93308 | ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TRANSTHORACIC, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, FOLLOW-UP OR LIMITED STUDY |
| 93320 | DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, PULSED WAVE AND/OR CONTINUOUS WAVE WITH SPECTRAL DISPLAY (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODES FOR ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC IMAGING); COMPLETE |
| 93321 | DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, PULSED WAVE AND/OR CONTINUOUS WAVE WITH SPECTRAL DISPLAY (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODES FOR ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC IMAGING); FOLLOW-UP OR LIMITED STUDY (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODES FOR ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC IMAGING) |
| 93325 | DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY COLOR FLOW VELOCITY MAPPING (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODES FOR ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY) |
| 93350 | ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TRANSTHORACIC, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, DURING REST AND CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS TEST USING TREADMILL, BICYCLE EXERCISE AND/OR PHARMACOLOGICALLY INDUCED STRESS, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; |
| 93351 | ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TRANSTHORACIC, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, DURING REST AND CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS TEST USING TREADMILL, BICYCLE EXERCISE AND/OR PHARMACOLOGICALLY INDUCED STRESS, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; INCLUDING PERFORMANCE OF CONTINUOUS ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC MONITORING, WITH SUPERVISION BY A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL |
| 93352 | USE OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC CONTRAST AGENT DURING STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE) |
| A9700 | SUPPLY OF INJECTABLE CONTRAST MATERIAL FOR USE IN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, PER STUDY |
| C8921 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST, OR WITHOUT CONTRAST FOLLOWED BY WITH CONTRAST, FOR CONGENITAL CARDIAC ANOMALIES; COMPLETE |
| C8922 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST, OR WITHOUT CONTRAST FOLLOWED BY WITH CONTRAST, FOR CONGENITAL CARDIAC ANOMALIES; FOLLOW-UP OR LIMITED STUDY |
| C8923 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST, OR WITHOUT CONTRAST FOLLOWED BY WITH CONTRAST, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, COMPLETE, WITHOUT SPECTRAL OR COLOR DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY |
| C8924 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST, OR WITHOUT CONTRAST FOLLOWED BY WITH CONTRAST, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, FOLLOW-UP OR LIMITED STUDY |
| C8928 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST, OR WITHOUT CONTRAST FOLLOWED BY WITH CONTRAST, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, DURING REST AND CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS TEST USING TREADMILL, BICYCLE EXERCISE AND/OR PHARMACOLOGICALLY INDUCED STRESS, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT |
| C8929 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST, OR WITHOUT CONTRAST FOLLOWED BY WITH CONTRAST, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, COMPLETE, WITH SPECTRAL DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, AND WITH COLOR FLOW DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY |
| C8930 | TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, WITH CONTRAST, OR WITHOUT CONTRAST FOLLOWED BY WITH CONTRAST, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, DURING REST AND CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS TEST USING TREADMILL, BICYCLE EXERCISE AND/OR PHARMACOLOGICALLY INDUCED STRESS, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; INCLUDING PERFORMANCE OF CONTINUOUS ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC MONITORING, WITH PHYSICIAN SUPERVISION |
| Q9955 | INJECTION, PERFLEXANE LIPID MICROSPHERES, PER ML |
| Q9956 | INJECTION, OCTAFLUOROPROPANE MICROSPHERES, PER ML |
| Q9957 | INJECTION, PERFLUTREN LIPID MICROSPHERES, PER ML |
Conclusion:
CPT code 93306 plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and assessment of cardiac conditions through the use of transthoracic echocardiography. This non-invasive procedure provides valuable insights into the heart’s structure, function, and blood flow, aiding healthcare providers in formulating accurate diagnoses and developing appropriate treatment plans. By understanding the significance and process of procedure code 93306, patients can confidently approach cardiac ultrasound, knowing that it is a safe and essential tool in cardiology.
Remember, if you have any concerns or questions regarding procedure code 93306 or any other medical procedure, it’s best to consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans. The CPT (current procedural terminology) 93306 refers to transthoracic echocardiography. In this particular case, all the instances which are related to this particular domain have to be billed under the CPT code 93306
Ans. Yes, currently the CPT 93306 has not gone through any updates and it includes the transthoracic echocardiography domain only. In this case, one needs to remember that all the requirements which fall under this domain have to be billed under the CPT 93306 itself.
Ans. Speaking from a medical point of view, the transthoracic echocardiography model is generally used to study various heart movements including the blood flow, muscles as well as chamber, and valves. Hence it can be said that the CPT 93306 is diagnostic in nature owing to the description of the domain.
Ans. This is a completely subjective question and the payment amount tends to differ from one hospital to the other as per the requirements. The payment amount is currently around $229 for the physician’s office and $427 under the domain of HOPD.
Ans. All the codes which tend to fall under the CPT or common procedural terminology range are unique in nature. It’s a fact that the CPT 93306 code is unique and it refers to only the transthoracic echocardiography segment.
Ans. Before the procedure, you may be instructed to avoid eating or drinking for a certain period to minimize interference caused by a full stomach. It’s also advisable to wear loose-fitting clothing to facilitate access to the chest area during the examination.
Ans. The duration of a transthoracic echocardiogram can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the patient’s specific circumstances. The procedure usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
Ans. No, cardiac ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless procedure. The transducer is gently placed on the chest and moved around to capture different heart views. You may experience slight pressure or coolness from the gel applied to the skin to enhance sound wave transmission, but it is generally well-tolerated.
Ans. Cardiac ultrasound is considered a safe procedure with minimal risks. It does not involve radiation exposure, unlike other imaging techniques. Occasionally, some patients may be sensitive to the gel or experience mild skin irritation. In rare cases, individuals with certain conditions, such as open wounds or infections in the chest area, may need to postpone the examination.
Ans. No, procedure code 93306 will no longer require authorization effective January 1, 2023.
Ans. Procedure codes 76376 and 76377 and 93319 (3D Echocardiography).
Ans. For ICD 10 code of cardiac please visit ICD10 codes lookup Tool and search by term cardiac.
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