2025 CPT code 93350
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Cardiology - Stress Echocardiography Echocardiography Feed
Stress echocardiography (transthoracic), real-time with 2D image documentation, including M-mode recording (when performed), during rest and cardiovascular stress test (treadmill, bicycle, or pharmacologically induced), with interpretation and report.
Modifiers 26 (professional component), TC (technical component), 59 (distinct procedural service), and 76 (repeat procedure by same physician) may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances.
Medical necessity for a stress echocardiogram (93350) is established when the patient presents with symptoms suggestive of ischemic heart disease (chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.) or has risk factors for coronary artery disease.The procedure is often used to evaluate patients who cannot tolerate a conventional stress test or to assess for silent ischemia.Specific indications should be documented in the patient's medical record.
The physician is responsible for performing the echocardiogram (both at rest and under stress), interpreting the images, and generating a comprehensive report.This includes evaluating the patient's response to stress, both hemodynamically and electrocardiographically, and assessing the echocardiographic findings for any abnormalities.
In simple words: This test uses ultrasound to take pictures of your heart while you're at rest and while exercising (or taking medication to mimic exercise). The doctor looks at these pictures to see how well your heart works under stress and checks for any problems.
This CPT code encompasses a comprehensive stress echocardiography procedure using transthoracic echocardiography.The procedure involves acquiring real-time two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic images, including M-mode recording when applicable, both at rest and during a cardiovascular stress test.The stress test may be induced by treadmill or bicycle exercise or pharmacologically.The procedure includes interpretation of the acquired images and the generation of a comprehensive report, evaluating the duration and reason for stopping the stress test, hemodynamic response to stress, electrocardiographic response to stress, and echocardiographic response to stress.Separate reporting of components of the cardiovascular stress test (codes 93016-93018) is necessary if performed by a different physician.
Example 1: A 60-year-old male patient presents with chest pain during exertion.A stress echocardiogram (93350) is performed to assess for myocardial ischemia.The patient exercises on a treadmill, and images are acquired at rest, during peak exercise, and during recovery. The report includes details of the stress test, hemodynamic response, and echocardiographic findings, helping to rule out or confirm the presence of coronary artery disease., A 72-year-old female patient with a history of hypertension is unable to exercise. A pharmacological stress echocardiogram (93350) is performed using dobutamine to induce stress on the heart. Images are acquired at rest and at peak dobutamine infusion. The report evaluates the hemodynamic and echocardiographic response to the medication, helping assess the patient's cardiac reserve and identify any abnormalities., A 45-year-old patient with a suspected valvular abnormality undergoes a stress echocardiogram (93350) to evaluate the impact of stress on valvular function.The patient performs bicycle exercise, and images are acquired at rest and during peak exercise.The report details the valvular function at both rest and under stress, aiding in the diagnosis and management of the valvular issue.
Complete patient history; details of the stress test (type, duration, reason for termination); electrocardiographic tracings (baseline, during, and post-stress); echocardiographic images (at rest, during stress, and recovery); quantitative measurements from echocardiography (ejection fraction, wall motion, etc.); interpretation and report detailing all findings and conclusions.
** The interpretation of the stress echocardiogram should include a thorough assessment of left ventricular function, wall motion abnormalities, and valvular function both at rest and during stress.The report should correlate the findings with the patient's clinical presentation and risk factors.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC is applicable when only the technical component of the stress echocardiogram is billed, which typically occurs in a facility setting where the physician does not perform the technical aspects of the study.
- Specialties:Cardiology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center