Summary & Overview
CPT 93895: Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Ultrasound Measurement
CPT code 93895 represents a diagnostic ultrasound procedure that measures the thickness of the intima and media layers of the carotid artery (carotid intima-media thickness, or CIMT). This imaging measure is used to track atherosclerotic plaque build-up and is clinically relevant for assessing risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease at a population level. The code matters nationally as clinicians and payers evaluate the role of imaging biomarkers in preventive cardiology and stroke risk stratification.
Key payers covered in this discussion include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for CPT code 93895, including the service type and typical sites of service, plus what to expect when reviewing payer coverage patterns. The publication will outline benchmark considerations, common modifier usage (as provided), and areas where data was not provided. It also highlights the procedural purpose — monitoring arterial wall changes due to fatty deposition — so clinicians, administrators, and policy analysts can understand the code's clinical intent and operational settings.
This national-level summary is intended to inform revenue cycle teams, coding professionals, and policy analysts about the clinical function and typical utilization settings for CPT code 93895, and to frame follow-up review of payer-specific coverage policies and reimbursement benchmarks.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 93895 describes a diagnostic ultrasound procedure that measures the thickness of the intima and media layers of the carotid artery (carotid intima-media thickness, or CIMT). The measurement is used to monitor the deposition of fatty material (atherosclerosis) on the artery walls, which is relevant to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk assessment.
Service Type: Diagnostic vascular ultrasound — carotid intima-media thickness measurement
Typical Site of Service: Imaging center, hospital outpatient department, or physician office with vascular ultrasound capability
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a family history of stroke presents to the outpatient vascular laboratory for carotid artery evaluation. The clinician orders carotid intima-media thickness measurement to assess atherosclerotic burden as part of cardiovascular risk stratification. The patient is prepped in a semi-recumbent position in the vascular ultrasound suite. A registered vascular sonographer performs high-resolution B-mode ultrasound of the distal common carotid arteries and carotid bulb bilaterally, capturing longitudinal images and measuring the combined thickness of the intima and media layers at standardized segments. Images and measurements are reviewed by a vascular medicine physician or cardiologist for interpretation and reporting. Results are documented in the electronic medical record and communicated to the referring clinician for longitudinal risk management planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Use when no billing modifier applies to the service. |
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician interpretation/reading of the ultrasound study.
51 | Multiple procedures | Use when multiple distinct CPT procedures are performed during the same encounter and payer requires notification of multiple services.