Cardiology Question for the Week of June 21, 2021

Question:

I’m wondering what the provider documentation requirements are when reporting 93356. What do they specifically have to document in their interpretation to substantiate the myocardial strain imaging charge?

Answer:

Here is the description from CPT® Changes, and it is best to base reporting on what this says: Description of procedure 93356 The physician reviews request for service to clarify the indications for the procedure and determine the clinical questions that need to be answered by the myocardial strain echo examination. Analyze images of the acquired myocardial strain data (static and real-time) on an appropriate software program to determine regional and global longitudinal, radial, and/or circumferential strain and/or strain rates. Compare these data to previous studies, when available. Dictate a report and review the findings in detail with the referring physician.