Summary & Overview
CPT 93352: Contrast-Enhanced Stress Echocardiography, Pre- and Poststress Images
Headline: CPT code 93352 — Contrast-Enhanced Stress Echocardiography for Pre- and Poststress Imaging
Lead: CPT code 93352 captures contrast-enhanced stress echocardiography performed to obtain both pre-stress and post-stress cardiac images. The code reflects a diagnostic imaging service that supports evaluation of myocardial perfusion and wall motion under stress, improving diagnostic confidence in patients with suboptimal standard images.
CPT code 93352 represents a specific echocardiographic procedure in which an intravenous contrast agent is used during stress testing to acquire images before and after the stressor. Nationally, this code matters because it documents enhanced diagnostic imaging techniques that can alter clinical management for ischemic heart disease and other cardiac conditions. Payers commonly involved in coverage of this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will learn the clinical context and purpose of the code, typical sites of service, and which major payers are relevant to coverage discussions. The publication outlines common billing modifiers and related administrative considerations, highlights where data are available versus missing, and summarizes benchmark and policy implications for stakeholders who manage or review cardiovascular diagnostic imaging claims. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 93352 describes echocardiography performed with intravenous contrast to obtain both pre-stress and post-stress images during a stress echocardiography study. This procedure involves administration of an intravenous contrast agent to enhance endocardial border delineation and improve visualization of myocardial wall motion under stress conditions.
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Service type: Diagnostic cardiac imaging — stress echocardiography with contrast
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory cardiac imaging center where stress testing and intravenous contrast administration are performed
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient with exertional chest pain and multiple cardiac risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a 30-pack-year smoking history) is referred for a pharmacologic or exercise stress echocardiogram to evaluate for inducible ischemia. The sonographer obtains baseline transthoracic images, administers an intravenous ultrasonic contrast agent to enhance endocardial border definition, performs standardized stress (treadmill or pharmacologic) per protocol, and acquires both immediate poststress and delayed postcontrast images to assess regional wall motion before and after stress. The interpreting cardiologist reviews contrast-enhanced pre- and poststress images, documents wall motion changes, and finalizes the report. Typical workflow includes patient intake in an outpatient cardiology clinic or hospital radiology/cardiac imaging department, IV placement and contrast preparation by nursing or sonographer, continuous ECG monitoring during stress, and postprocedure recovery and discharge. Typical site of service: outpatient hospital-based cardiac imaging lab, freestanding diagnostic imaging center, or inpatient hospital cardiology service. Service type: contrast-enhanced stress transthoracic echocardiography (diagnostic cardiac imaging procedure).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the physician interpretation/report of the procedure performed at a facility that bills technical component separately |