CPT code 93356: Strain imaging, speckle-tracking analysis2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Reports echocardiographic speckle-tracking analysis of myocardial deformation, commonly added to a qualifying echocardiogram when strain measurements are obtained and interpreted.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026109 payment localities472.2K Medicare services in 2024

Medicare pays $36.74 for 93356 nationally in the office and $10.02 in a hospital or facility. Local office rates run $32.41–$49.82.

Medicare rate · 93356

Strain imaging, speckle-tracking analysis

Office or facility?

Work RVUs
0.23
Total RVUs
1.10
Global days
ZZZ

National rate · 2026

$36.74

Office setting, before claim adjustments.

See every locality for 93356 →Billed by an NP, PA or therapist? →

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

Your location

Medicare pays by the payment locality where the service is performed.

On this page 10 sections
  1. Medicare rate
  2. What 93356 covers
  3. By payment locality
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Similar codes
  8. Related codes
  9. Billing questions
  10. Sources

What 93356 covers

This service analyzes echocardiographic images with speckle-tracking software to assess how the heart muscle deforms during the cardiac cycle, including measurements such as longitudinal strain. Cardiologists may use the results when evaluating cardiomyopathy, suspected cardiac amyloidosis, or changes in cardiac function during potentially cardiotoxic treatment. A sonographer typically acquires the images, and a qualified physician interprets the strain findings and includes them in the report.

Report 93356 only with an eligible primary echocardiography procedure; it is not a stand-alone service. The record should support that speckle-tracking strain analysis was performed and interpreted, with the findings documented alongside the primary echocardiogram. CMS treats this as an add-on paid within the primary procedure’s global period. The strain analysis is distinct from the standard measurements and Doppler components of an echocardiogram, so the report should make clear that myocardial strain imaging was performed.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 93356 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 payment localities

$32.41 to $49.82

$32.41$41.11$49.82
One dot per payment locality, office / nonfacility. Hover a dot to see the locality; select it to open that rate.

109 of 109 payment localities

93356 office and facility rates by payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Alabama$32.90$9.52
Alaska$42.13$13.67
Arizona$35.76$9.87
Arkansas$32.41$9.46
Atlanta, GA$37.35$10.20
Austin, TX$38.33$10.06
Bakersfield, CA$39.35$10.07
Baltimore area, MD$39.09$10.42
Beaumont, TX$34.14$9.82
Brazoria, TX$36.40$9.92

93356 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$32.41

$44.56

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
93356 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$42.131
AL$32.901
AR$32.411
AZ$35.761
CA$39.29–$49.8229
CO$38.501
CT$39.221
DC$42.281
DE$36.371
FL$35.83–$38.933
GA$33.80–$37.352
GU$40.351
HI$40.351
IA$33.921
ID$34.121
IL$34.65–$38.084
IN$34.331
KS$33.681
KY$33.531
LA$33.45–$35.162
MA$38.23–$42.492
MD$37.10–$42.283
ME$34.22–$36.242
MI$34.36–$36.212
MN$37.091
MO$32.81–$35.383
MS$32.621
MT$36.741
NC$34.601
ND$36.341
NE$34.141
NH$37.821
NJ$39.73–$41.812
NM$34.521
NV$36.661
NY$35.12–$43.175
OH$34.281
OK$33.551
OR$36.43–$39.842
PA$34.38–$38.172
PR$37.041
RI$37.751
SC$34.481
SD$36.301
TN$33.851
TX$34.14–$38.338
UT$34.971
VA$36.06–$42.282
VI$37.041
VT$36.131
WA$38.19–$43.452
WI$35.091
WV$33.311
WY$36.571

How the 93356 rate is calculated

Each of 93356’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 93356

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.23

0.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.85

0.85 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.02

0.02 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

1.1000

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$36.74

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

Payment rules and modifiers for 93356

The CMS indicators that decide how 93356 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 93356

Strain imaging, speckle-tracking analysis

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodZZZAdd-on code: falls within the primary procedure’s global period.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

93356 compared with similar codes

Compare codes · National

4 codes, side by side

Office or facility?

  • 93356

    Strain imaging, speckle-tracking analysis0.23 wRVU

    $36.74

  • 93306

    Echocardiogram (TTE), complete, with spectral and color Doppler1.42 wRVU

    $196.73+$159.99

  • 93308

    Echocardiogram, follow-up or limited study0.52 wRVU

    $101.20+$64.46

  • 93325

    Color flow Doppler, add-on to echocardiography0.07 wRVU

    $23.71−$13.03

How to choose

93306Echocardiogram (TTE)Complete, with spectral and color Doppler
93306 reports a complete transthoracic echocardiogram with Doppler; 93356 is added only when speckle-tracking myocardial strain analysis is also performed and interpreted.
93308EchocardiogramFollow-up or limited study
93308 reports a limited or follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram. It does not by itself describe speckle-tracking strain analysis.
93325Color flow DopplerAdd-on to echocardiography
93325 describes color-flow Doppler mapping, while 93356 describes speckle-tracking analysis of myocardial deformation.

93356 billing questions

Can 93356 be billed by itself?

No. It is an add-on and must be reported with an eligible primary echocardiography procedure.

Is 93356 included in a complete transthoracic echocardiogram?

The code represents a separate speckle-tracking strain analysis, not the standard measurements of a complete echocardiogram. Report it only when that analysis is performed and interpreted.

What documentation supports reporting 93356?

The echocardiography record should show that speckle-tracking strain analysis was performed, and the interpreting report should document the strain findings.

Does 93356 replace Doppler imaging?

No. Speckle-tracking strain analysis assesses myocardial deformation; it is distinct from Doppler evaluation of blood flow.

How is 93356 paid in relation to the primary echocardiogram?

CMS classifies it as an add-on and pays it within the primary procedure’s global period. It must be billed together with the primary procedure.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 93356PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,090 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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