Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: Can I code 93320/93325 in addition to 93307, given the following documentation?

1. Technologist performs 2D-M-Mode and Doppler analysis.

2. Technically limited study with limited information available.

3. Left ventricle appears to be dilated with moderate to severe impairment of systolic function.

4. Unable to accurately assess regional wall motion or accurately estimate ejection fraction.

5. Left atrial dilation.

6. Grossly normal valvular structure.

7. Suboptimal Doppler analysis.

8. No pericardial effusion.

9. Unable to assess for masses or thrombi in the cardiac chambers.


Tennessee Subscriber


Answer: No. You should report 93308 (Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation [2D] with or without M-mode recording; follow-up or limited study) and +93321 (Doppler echocardiography, pulsed wave and/or continuous wave with spectral display; follow-up or limited study [list separately in addition to codes for echocardiographic imaging]) because your documentation states, "technically limited study."

You cannot use +93325 (Doppler echocardiography color flow velocity mapping [list separately in addition to codes for echocardiography]) because your cardiologist did not specifically establish that he performed a color flow study.

Codes +93320 (Doppler echocardiography, pulsed wave and/or continuous wave with spectral display; complete [list separately in addition to codes for echocar-
diographic imaging]) and 93307 (Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation [2D] with or without M-mode recording; complete) are also incorrect for the situation you describe. These are for "complete" versions of this service.