Ask Dr. Z

I have a provider attempting to bill 93312 for a TEE. My provider's statement however is as follows: “Intubation: The patient was administered general anesthesia by the Anesthesiology staff. Prior to starting the procedure, the TEE probe was advanced in to the patient's esophagus by Cardiology staff and images were obtained by Cardiology staff and interpreted by myself after completion of the procedure.”

Can these images be obtained by staff under supervision? Our coding software says supervision concept does not apply. I don't feel we can give him credit for the 93312 since the provider himself didn't place the probe, but can I give credit for 93314 since he didn't acquire the images either? He states he only interpreted the images after the procedure. Is there any billable service for the physician in this case?