CPT code 93317 refers to a specialized heart ultrasound that is done from inside the throat to check for specific heart problems present from birth. CPT 93317 represents “Transesophageal echocardiography for congenital cardiac anomalies; image acquisition, interpretation and report only.”
Procedure Explanation:
This procedure involves taking pictures of the heart using sound waves, but instead of doing it from outside the chest, it’s done through the esophagus (the tube connecting the throat to the stomach). In this procedure, only capturing the images, understanding them, and making a report are included. It does not involve the actual scanning process or using new technologies to improve image quality.
Common Names:
- TEE for Congenital Heart Defects
- Transesophageal Echo for Birth-Related Heart Issues
- Heart Ultrasound via Esophagus
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 1.84.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Transesophageal echo for congenital heart defect imaging
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Transesophageal echocardiogram for identifying heart defects present at birth
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This procedure is typically used for patients who have heart defects they were born with, like holes in the heart’s chambers or unusual formations of heart valves. For example, children or adults known to have a congenital heart defect may undergo this test to get a clearer look at their heart’s structure.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- Q21.1: This code is for a heart defect where there’s a hole between the upper chambers of the heart that’s present from birth.
- Q23.1: This code refers to defects in the aortic valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, present from birth.
- Q20.0: This code describes heart structures that are connected incorrectly, such as the major blood vessels that are switched around.
Summary
In summary, code 93317 describes a procedure that takes detailed ultrasound images of the heart from inside the throat to assess congenital heart defects. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 93317 include Q21.1 (hole in the heart’s upper chambers) and Q23.1 (aortic valve defects present from birth).
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. “CPT” and CPT Codes are registered trademarks of the American Medical Association. HCPCS codes are managed by Medicare and are not subject to copyright.