Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: I know that anesthesiologists must be specially trained to read reports from transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Can any anesthesia personnel (such as a CRNA) place the TEE probe?

Rhode Island Subscriber

Answer: Yes, a CRNA or other anesthesia professional can be trained to insert the TEE probe, but check your local guidelines because payers might have different policies regarding the CRNA's service.

If you're simply reporting TEE probe placement, code with 93313 (Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation [2D] [with or without M-mode recording]; placement of transesophageal probe only).