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Official Description

External electrocardiographic recording for more than 48 hours up to 7 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage; recording (includes connection and initial recording)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 93242 refers to the procedure of external electrocardiographic recording that lasts for more than 48 hours and can extend up to 7 days. This procedure involves continuous rhythm recording and storage, which is crucial for monitoring a patient's heart activity over an extended period while they engage in their normal daily activities. The external electrocardiogram (ECG) device is designed to be compact, lightweight, and waterproof, allowing for comfortable wear without interfering with the patient's routine. The device is typically placed on the upper left chest, where it is connected and tested to ensure proper functionality before the initial recording begins. Patients receive instructions on how to use and care for the device, ensuring that they can effectively manage it during the recording period. Once activated, the device continuously records and stores the ECG rhythm for the specified duration. After the recording period concludes, the patient returns the device to the healthcare facility, where the recorded data is downloaded for further analysis. A computerized analysis is performed, and a report is generated, which is then reviewed by a physician or qualified healthcare professional who provides a written interpretation of the findings. This procedure is essential for diagnosing various cardiac conditions that may not be evident during shorter monitoring periods.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 93242 is indicated for patients who require extended monitoring of their cardiac rhythm to identify potential arrhythmias or other heart-related issues that may not be detected during standard short-term ECG recordings. This long-term monitoring is particularly useful for patients experiencing symptoms such as:

  • Palpitations: Patients may report sensations of rapid or irregular heartbeats that warrant further investigation.
  • Syncope: Episodes of fainting or near-fainting can indicate underlying cardiac problems that need to be monitored over time.
  • Dizziness or Lightheadedness: These symptoms may suggest arrhythmias or other cardiac conditions that require thorough evaluation.
  • Chest Pain: Patients experiencing unexplained chest pain may benefit from extended ECG monitoring to assess heart function.
  • Post-Myocardial Infarction Monitoring: Patients recovering from a heart attack may need ongoing monitoring to ensure proper heart rhythm and function.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 93242 involves several key steps to ensure accurate and effective long-term electrocardiographic monitoring:

  • Step 1: Device Preparation and Placement - The healthcare provider prepares the external ECG recording device, which includes both the electrodes and the recording unit. The device is then placed on the upper aspect of the patient's left chest, ensuring proper electrode placement for optimal recording quality. The provider tests the device to confirm that it is functioning correctly before proceeding.
  • Step 2: Initial Recording - After confirming the device's functionality, an initial recording is obtained. This step is crucial as it establishes a baseline for the patient's heart rhythm and ensures that the device is capturing the necessary data accurately.
  • Step 3: Patient Instruction - The patient is instructed on how to use and care for the recording device. This includes guidance on how to maintain the device during daily activities, ensuring that it remains securely attached and operational throughout the monitoring period.
  • Step 4: Continuous Recording - Once the patient is familiar with the device, it is activated to begin continuous ECG rhythm recording. The device will store the recorded data for a duration exceeding 48 hours and up to 7 days, allowing for comprehensive monitoring of the patient's heart activity during their normal daily routines.
  • Step 5: Data Return and Analysis - At the end of the monitoring period, the patient returns the device to the healthcare facility. The recorded data is then downloaded for analysis. A computerized analysis is performed to evaluate the ECG data collected during the monitoring period.
  • Step 6: Report Generation and Review - Following the analysis, a report is generated detailing the findings from the ECG data. A physician or qualified healthcare professional reviews the report and provides a written interpretation of the results, which is essential for diagnosing any potential cardiac conditions.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure associated with CPT® Code 93242, the patient may be advised on several post-procedure considerations. It is important for the patient to follow any specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider regarding activity levels and any symptoms to monitor for after the device is removed. The physician will review the generated report and may schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings and any necessary further evaluations or treatments based on the results of the ECG monitoring. Patients should be informed that the interpretation of the ECG data may lead to additional diagnostic tests or interventions if any abnormalities are detected.

Short Descr EXT ECG>48HR<7D RECORDING
Medium Descr EXTERNAL ECG REC>48HR<7D RECORDING
Long Descr External electrocardiographic recording for more than 48 hours up to 7 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage; recording (includes connection and initial recording)
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) none
MUE 1
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
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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.
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
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).
24 Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period: the physician or other qualified health care professional may need to indicate that an evaluation and management service was performed during a postoperative period for a reason(s) unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 24 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
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.
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).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
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.
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
93 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via telephone or other real-time interactive audio-only 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 away 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 is sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction.
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.
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
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
GF Non-physician (e.g. nurse practitioner (np), certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna), certified registered nurse (crn), clinical nurse specialist (cns), physician assistant (pa)) services in a critical access hospital
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
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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
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
UB Medicaid level of care 11, as defined by each state
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2021-01-01 Added Code added.
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