© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 93225 refers to the procedure of external electrocardiographic recording, which is conducted for a duration of up to 48 hours. This procedure involves continuous rhythm recording and storage of the heart's electrical activity while the patient engages in their normal daily activities. The device used for this monitoring is commonly known as a Holter monitor. During the procedure, electrodes or leads are affixed to the patient's chest, allowing for the collection of electrocardiographic (ECG) data. The patient is provided with instructions on how to properly use the monitor throughout the monitoring period. The Holter monitor continuously records the ECG waveforms, capturing the heart's rhythm and rate, as well as other important metrics such as ST segment analysis, heart rate variability, and T-wave alternans. The data collected is stored on a magnetic tape or a digitized medium for subsequent analysis. After the monitoring period concludes, the patient returns the device to the healthcare provider, where the recorded data is reviewed. A visual superimposition scanning technique is employed to create a comprehensive overview of the entire recording, allowing for the identification of various ECG waveforms and the extraction of selective rhythm strip samples. Following this analysis, a report is generated, which is then reviewed and interpreted by a physician or qualified healthcare professional to assess for any potential heart arrhythmias. It is important to note that while CPT® Code 93225 covers the recording aspect of the procedure, including the connection, recording, and disconnection of the device, other related codes such as 93224, 93226, and 93227 are designated for the complete procedure, analysis, and interpretation of the data, respectively.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The external electrocardiographic recording using CPT® Code 93225 is indicated for patients who require monitoring of their heart's electrical activity over an extended period. This procedure is typically performed in the following scenarios:
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 93225 involves several key steps to ensure accurate and effective monitoring of the patient's heart activity. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the external electrocardiographic recording is completed, the patient may be advised to resume normal activities unless otherwise instructed. The healthcare provider will analyze the stored data, which includes a comprehensive review of the heart's electrical activity during the monitoring period. A report is generated based on this analysis, detailing any identified arrhythmias or abnormalities. The physician or qualified healthcare professional will then review and interpret the findings, discussing the results with the patient and determining any necessary follow-up actions or treatments based on the recorded data.
| Short Descr | XTRNL ECG REC<48 HRS REC | Medium Descr | XTRNL ECG REC<48 HRS RECORDING | Long Descr | External electrocardiographic recording up to 48 hours by continuous rhythm recording and storage; recording (includes connection, recording, and disconnection) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 3 - Technical Component Only Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 6 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic cardiovascular services apply... | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 01 - Procedure must be performed under the general supervision of a physician. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T2C - Other tests - EKG monitoring | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 203 - Electrographic cardiac monitoring |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | QD | Recording and storage in solid state memory by a digital recorder | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59. | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | QT | Recording and storage on tape by an analog tape recorder | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2011-04-04 | Changed | Practice Expense RVU changed |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Long description revised. Medium description changed. Short description changed. Location in hierarchy changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| 1990-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1990. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.