ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: How should we report using a portable echocardiograph machine?

Utah Subscriber Answer: Billing for a portable echocardiograph machine depends on whether images are printed. Carriers will not pay if images are not printed, such as when the physician views the images on a screen. Because many of these portable echocardiograph machines cannot print images, additional software may be required.

If the physician performs the service using a device that can print images, you should report a limited echocardiogram by billing 93307 (Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation [2D] with or without M-mode recording; complete) or 93308 ( follow-up or limited study). The ED physician usually provides a limited study. You should append modifier -26 (Professional component) when the ED physician uses a device owned by the hospital. The physician should document the results of the echocardiogram and make it available for review.