Radiology Coding Alert

Question: How can we code transesophageal echo procedures? Is there a separate code for placement of echo probe?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: The correct code for TEE (transesophageal echocardiography) depends on the procedural component that your physician performs. Look at the following two codes:

• 93313, Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation (2D) (with or without M-mode recording); placement of transesophageal probe only
• 93312, Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation (2D) (with or without M-mode recording); including probe placement, image acquisition, interpretation and report

These codes adequately describe the details of procedure. The code 93313 is limited to placement of probe for the echo while code 93312 covers the entire procedure of the echo including the placement of probe. It includes all steps up to the interpretation of the images and the final report.

When your radiologist only interprets the images and prepares a report, you should submit code 93314 (Echocardiography, transesophageal, real-time with image documentation [2D] [with or without M-mode recording]; image acquisition, interpretation and report only).

Finally, do not forget an additional code 93355 (Echocardiography, transesophageal [TEE] for guidance of a transcatheter intracardiac or great vessel[s] structural intervention[s] [e.g., TAVR, transcathether pulmonary valve replacement, mitral valve repair, paravalvular regurgitation repair, left atrial appendage occlusion/closure, ventricular septal defect closure] [peri-and intra-procedural], real-time image acquisition and documentation, guidance with quantitative measurements, probe manipulation, interpretation, and report, including diagnostic transesophageal echocardiography and, when performed, administration of ultrasound contrast, Doppler, color flow, and 3D). This code is for TEE to guide cardiac interventions. This code is inclusive of any diagnostic echo and administration of contrast.

Tip: You do not report codes 93314, 93313 and 93312 with 93355.