If your practice orders, performs, or bills echocardiograms, CPT code 93306 will keep coming up. It’s also a code that gets scrutinized—because small gaps in documentation, component selection (global vs professional/technical), or “complete vs limited” wording can quickly trigger payer edits, downcoding, or denials.
This guide explains what CPT 93306 is, what it usually includes, how it compares to related echocardiogram CPT code options (like 93307 and 93308), where CPT 93356 (strain imaging) fits, and how billing teams can reduce rework with a practical, compliance-minded workflow.
Friendly disclaimer: This article is educational and not medical, legal, or payer-specific advice. Rules vary by payer, state, plan type (commercial vs Medicare Advantage), and site of service. Always confirm current guidance in official resources (payer manuals, coverage policies, CPT instructions, and local rules) or consult qualified professionals.
What Is CPT Code 93306?
CPT 93306 is commonly used for a complete transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) that includes:
- 2D imaging (real-time echocardiography with image documentation)
- Spectral Doppler echocardiography
- Color flow Doppler echocardiography
This is why many searches phrase it as:
- Cpt code for transthoracic echocardiogram
- Cpt code for echocardiogram complete
- Echo complete cpt code
- US echocardiogram transthoracic, complete with color flow cpt code
In plain terms: 93306 is the “complete TTE with Doppler and color flow” code—when those components are actually performed and clearly documented in the final report.
“CPT” vs “HCPCS 93306”
You may see people say HCPCS 93306. In practice, 93306 is a CPT code (used within the broader HCPCS coding system). In day-to-day billing conversations, it’s still best to refer to it as CPT code 93306 to avoid confusion.
Also Read: Telehealth CPT Codes and Billing Guide Explained
What Does the 93306 CPT Code Description Mean in Documentation Terms?
People often search “93306 cpt code description” or “cpt code 93306 description.” Instead of memorizing a one-line descriptor, focus on what payers typically need to see to support a complete exam with Doppler and color flow.
The practical documentation signals payers look for
A strong, claim-ready echo record usually has:
- An apparent reason for the study (signs/symptoms, history, abnormal findings, follow-up needed)
- Evidence that the study was complete (not a focused/limited scan)
- Doppler + color flow findings that are clearly included in the interpretation
- A signed interpretation/report by the interpreting clinician (per payer rules)
- Correct identification of who provided technical vs professional components (if split)
How 93306 Fits Among Common Echo CPT Codes
Many denials result from selecting 93306 when the documentation aligns better with another CPT echocardiogram code. This quick comparison helps clarify where each code generally fits.
Comparison Table 1: 93306 vs Related Transthoracic Echo Codes
|
Code |
Common Plain-English Meaning | Doppler/Color Flow Included? | “Complete vs Limited” |
Common Billing Risk |
| 93306 | Complete TTE with 2D imaging + Doppler + color flow | Yes | Complete | Billed when the report doesn’t support Doppler/color flow or reads limited |
| 93307 | Complete TTE with 2D imaging (without Doppler components) | No | Complete | Confused with 93306 when Doppler/color flow was performed (or implied but not documented) |
| 93308 | Follow-up or limited TTE | Varies by payer policy and documentation | Limited/Follow-up | Billed as 93306, even though only a focused reassessment was performed |
| 93303 | Congenital transthoracic echo (when congenital heart disease is the focus) | Depends on descriptor/payer rules | Typically complete in a congenital context | Using non-congenital codes for congenital indications (or the reverse) |
Shortcut for teams:
- First, decide whether to use complete (93306/93307) or limited (93308).
- Then confirm whether Doppler + color flow are included and clearly documented (drives 93306 vs 93307).
Complete vs Limited: When 93306 Is Not the Best Fit
A complete echo attempts a comprehensive evaluation consistent with a full standard exam. A limited echo is usually a targeted reassessment or focused question (for example: “re-check a specific finding,” “follow-up on known issue,” or “limited views due to constraints”).
Everyday situations that push documentation toward a limited service
Billing teams often see “limited indicators“ such as:
- The report references only a small subset of structures or views
- The provider notes a focused purpose (follow-up of a specific issue)
- The report reads like a brief re-check rather than a complete, comprehensive assessment
When documentation supports a limited/follow-up study, CPT code 93308 is often a better fit than CPT 93306.
93306 vs 93307: Why It Gets Mixed Up
The 93306 vs 93307 question shows up frequently because both are described as “complete” transthoracic echocardiography, but 93306 includes Doppler and color flow while 93307 does not.
Where the mix-ups usually happen
- A template auto-populates generic text (“Doppler performed”), but the interpreted findings don’t support it
- The interpreting provider documents 2D findings well, but Doppler/color flow sections are vague or missing
- Different locations within the same practice use different templates or abbreviations
Practical fix: Ensure the final report explicitly supports Doppler and color flow whenever you bill echocardiogram cpt code 93306.
Where CPT 93356 (Strain Imaging) Fits
In many billing scenarios, 93356 is used as an add-on for myocardial strain imaging (often via speckle tracking).
Key operational reminders:
- 93356 is typically billed in addition to an echo service (not as a standalone test)
- Documentation should clearly support that strain imaging was performed and interpreted
- Coverage and frequency rules can vary significantly by payer
If your echo lab performs strain regularly, align ordering, documentation templates, and charge capture rules so the add-on is supported consistently.
Also Read: Skin Tag ICD-10 Codes and CPT Guide for Easy Billing
Modifier 26, TC, and Global Billing: Avoiding Component Errors
Many searches include “cpt code 93306 with modifier 26.” That’s because echocardiography often has separable professional and technical components:
- Professional component (interpretation + report)
- Technical component (equipment, supplies, technician time, image acquisition)
Comparison Table 2: Component Billing and Common Modifiers
|
Scenario |
What’s being billed | Common modifier approach (payer-dependent) |
What must be clear in the record |
| Interpreting clinician bills only interpretation/report | Professional component | Modifier 26 | Signed interpretation/report, interpreting provider identity |
| Facility/site bills only equipment + acquisition | Technical component | TC | Site performed acquisition; technical resources used |
| Same entity bills both (one claim) | Global service | No 26/TC | Both acquisition + interpretation are provided by the billing entity |
Common pitfall: The claim is coded correctly, but the wrong component is billed for the site of service or contract arrangement—especially in multi-location groups where imaging is performed at one site and interpreted centrally.
Other Modifiers You May See With 93306 (Use Carefully)
Beyond 26/TC, teams sometimes ask about other modifiers around the 93306 code description and claim edits. Whether a modifier is appropriate depends on payer rules, clinical context, and documentation.
You may encounter scenarios involving:
- Modifier 59 (distinct procedural service): used when the payer edits bundle services and documentation supports that the echo is a distinct service
- Modifier 76 / 77: used when a service is repeated on the same date (same provider vs different provider)
- Modifier 52 (reduced services) or 53 (discontinued procedure): used only when truly applicable and supported, and when a better-fitting CPT option isn’t available
Important: Overusing modifiers (or using them “just in case”) often backfires and increases audit risk. Use them only when documentation supports the exact reason.
Echo vs EKG: Don’t Confuse Test Types During Charge Capture
Because people also search “EKG CPT code“, it’s worth clarifying the operational distinction:
- An echocardiogram (echo/TTE) uses ultrasound to image the heart (e.g., cpt code for echocardiogram like 93306).
- An EKG/ECG measures electrical activity and is billed with a different code family.
Can they be done on the same date? Sometimes, yes—but each service must be supported and documented separately, and payer bundling rules must be respected.
A Step-by-Step Billing Workflow for Cleaner 93306 Claims
Below is a practical workflow that billing managers and in-house A/R teams can use to reduce preventable denials.
Step 1: Confirm the service is transthoracic and intended as complete
- Verify it’s a TTE (not TEE, not stress echo)
- Confirm whether documentation supports complete vs limited/follow-up
Step 2: Confirm Doppler + color flow support in the report
For cpt code echocardiogram selection, confirm the report clearly supports:
- 2D imaging and interpretation
- Doppler evaluation
- Color flow Doppler findings
If Doppler/color flow isn’t supported, revisit whether 93307 is more appropriate.
Also Read: Colonoscopy CPT Codes Explained Simply for Billing
Step 3: Validate component billing (global vs 26 vs TC)
- Who acquired images (technical component)?
- Who interpreted and signed the report (professional component)?
- Do the claim fields reflect the correct rendering/interpreting providers?
Step 4: Check medical necessity and diagnosis alignment
Teams often ask, “What diagnosis covers cpt 93306?” The honest answer is: there’s no universal diagnosis list that guarantees coverage.
Instead, confirm:
- The diagnosis is supported in the note
- The reason for the study is clear
- Payer policies (including any prior authorization rules) are satisfied
If the chart references a heart murmur (commonly searched as ‘murmur ICD 10’), ensure documentation explains why the echo was needed and that the chosen diagnosis code matches the provider’s documentation.
Step 5: Pre-submit scrub for everyday edits
Before the claim drops:
- Confirm the place of service is correct
- Confirm modifier 26/TC when needed
- Confirm no missing signature or incomplete report
- Check payer edits/bundling rules and any authorization requirements
Common Pitfalls That Trigger Denials for 93306
Here are patterns that most often lead to rework:
- “Complete” billed, but documentation reads limited (often better aligned to cpt code 93308)
- Doppler/color flow is mentioned vaguely, but the interpretation does not support it
- Missing or unsigned final report
- Wrong component billed (global vs cpt code 93306 with modifier 26 vs TC)
- Provider identifiers are inconsistent (rendering vs interpreting mismatches)
- Templates that auto-populate sections without real interpreted findings
Understanding 93306 CPT Code Reimbursement (Without Guessing Numbers)
Searches like “93306 cpt code reimbursement” are common, but reimbursement is not a single fixed number. It changes based on:
- Payer and plan type (commercial vs Medicare vs Medicare Advantage)
- Facility vs non-facility setting
- Global vs professional vs technical billing (26/TC)
- Locality and contract terms
- Bundling edits and modifier use
Best practice: Use your payer contract rates or the appropriate fee schedule tools for the payer and locality. Avoid relying on generic online numbers, which may be outdated or not applicable to your setting.
FAQ
1. What is CPT code 93306?
CPT 93306 is commonly used for a complete transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) that includes 2D imaging, spectral Doppler, and color flow Doppler, with a documented interpretation and report. It’s one of the most common echo cpt code choices when all required components are performed and clearly documented.
2. What’s the difference between 93306 and 93308?
The key difference is complete vs limited. 93306 is typically used for a complete study (with Doppler and color flow). In contrast, cpt code 93308 is used for a limited or follow-up transthoracic echo. If the report focuses on a specific question or only evaluates a subset of structures rather than a comprehensive exam, 93308 may align better.
3. 93306 vs 93307: when should each be used?
Both can be used for complete transthoracic echocardiography, but 93306 includes Doppler and color flow while 93307 does not. In practice, the best choice depends on what was actually performed and what the final report supports. If Doppler/color flow were performed, the documentation should clearly reflect that—otherwise, billing 93306 may invite payer edits.
4. Can CPT code 93306 be billed with modifier 26?
Yes. CPT code 93306 with modifier 26 is often used when billing only the professional component (interpretation and report). This is common when a facility or a different entity bills the technical component. The chart should clearly support who performed acquisition vs interpretation, and the report must be signed per payer rules.
5. What diagnosis covers CPT 93306?
No one diagnosis guarantees coverage for cpt code 93306 across all payers. Coverage depends on medical necessity, payer policy, and documentation. If the reason relates to a finding such as a murmur (commonly searched as ‘murmur ICD 10’), the provider’s note should clearly explain why an echocardiogram was needed. The diagnosis coding should accurately reflect documentation and payer requirements.
Conclusion
CPT 93306 is a high-volume code, and the best way to protect reimbursement and reduce rework is to align what was performed with what is documented and how the claim is built.
Key takeaways:
- Confirm complete vs limited first (93306/93307 vs. CPT code 93308)
- Ensure the report clearly supports Doppler + color flow for 93306
- Bill the right component (global vs modifier 26 vs TC) based on your setup
- Avoid “just-in-case“ modifiers unless documentation truly supports them
- Treat reimbursement as payer- and setting-specific—use your contracts and official schedules
When documentation, templates, and charge-capture rules are standardized, echocardiogram CPT code 93306 claims become far more predictable—saving time for providers, billing teams, and A/R staff alike.
