Cardiology Coding Alert

Think you don't need modifier 26 for 93314? Think again. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has long troubled coders who need to choose among the procedure's available codes (93312-93318). If you're fuzzy on which TEE code will bring in deserved reimbursement, take these tips from the experts. Watch for Congenital and Global Clues For a study that involves real-time image acquisition and documentation, you'll use a code from 93312-93314 (Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation [2D] [with or without M-mode recording]...), unless the procedure reveals a congenital cardiac abnormality. If the physician provides probe placement, then performs the exam and also dictates the report, you'll use code 93312 (Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation [2D] [with or without M-mode recording]; including probe placement, image acquisition, interpretation and report). If the physician doesn't perform the full service, look to the following options: 93313 -- ... placement of transesophageal probe only 93314 -- ... image acquisition, interpretation [...]