2025 CPT code 93242
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Diagnostic - Electrocardiography Cardiology Feed
External electrocardiographic recording for more than 48 hours up to 7 days; recording (includes connection and initial recording).
Modifiers may be necessary depending on the circumstances of the service. For example, modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) may be used if the continuous ECG recording is performed separately from other procedures.Consult the latest CPT manual and NCCI edits.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established when the physician determines that continuous ECG monitoring is required to diagnose or manage a cardiac condition based on the patient's history, symptoms, or other findings.This could include evaluating palpitations, syncope, or suspected arrhythmias.
The clinician or their staff instructs the patient on using the external ECG recorder and attaches the monitor. The clinician is responsible for ordering the test, reviewing the report from the processing center, and interpreting the results to make a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.
In simple words: The doctor or nurse attaches a small device to the patient's body to record their heart's electrical activity for more than two days, but less than a week. The device continuously monitors the heart and stores the information.This code only covers setting up and starting the recording.
This CPT code encompasses the application of an external electrocardiographic (ECG) recorder to a patient for continuous rhythm recording and storage exceeding 48 hours but not exceeding 7 days.The service includes the initial connection of the device to the patient and the initiation of the recording process.The recording device continuously monitors the patient's heart's electrical activity during their normal activities and stores the data. This code specifically covers the recording service and does not include analysis or interpretation of the recorded data.
Example 1: A patient presents with intermittent palpitations.The physician orders a 7-day continuous ECG recording (93242) to detect the arrhythmia during the episode. , A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation is placed on a new medication.A 72-hour continuous ECG recording (93242) is performed to monitor for any recurrence of the arrhythmia., A patient experiencing unexplained syncope undergoes a 5-day continuous ECG monitoring (93242) to identify the underlying cardiac cause.
Complete patient history and physical examination noting the reason for the test, detailed description of the placement of the electrodes and device, confirmation of the recording duration, and the final report from the analysis center.
** This code only includes the recording portion of the continuous ECG monitoring.Separate codes are used for scanning analysis, interpretation, and any additional services.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This code does not typically have a technical component (TC) modifier.
- Specialties:Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center