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Official Description

External electrocardiographic recording for more than 7 days up to 15 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage; review and interpretation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 93248 refers to the process of external electrocardiographic recording that is conducted over an extended period, specifically for more than 7 days and up to 15 days. This procedure involves the continuous rhythm recording and storage of the patient's electrocardiogram (ECG) while they engage in their normal daily activities. The technology utilized in this procedure typically consists of a compact, lightweight, and waterproof device that integrates both the electrodes and the recording apparatus into a single unit. This design allows for uninterrupted monitoring of the patient's heart rhythm without the need for hospitalization or constant supervision. The device is affixed to the upper left chest of the patient, and an initial test recording is performed to ensure proper functionality. Patients receive instructions on how to use and care for the device effectively. Once activated, the device continuously records and stores the ECG rhythm for the specified duration. Upon completion of the monitoring period, the patient returns the device to the healthcare facility, where the recorded data is downloaded for analysis. A computerized analysis is conducted, 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 code specifically captures the review and interpretation aspect of the procedure, distinguishing it from other related codes that encompass different components of the ECG recording process.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The external electrocardiographic recording procedure represented by CPT® Code 93248 is indicated for patients who require long-term monitoring of their cardiac rhythm to identify potential arrhythmias or other heart-related issues that may not be detected during standard short-term ECG tests. This procedure is particularly useful for patients experiencing symptoms such as:

  • Palpitations: Patients may report sensations of rapid or irregular heartbeats that warrant further investigation.
  • Dizziness or Syncope: Episodes of lightheadedness or fainting can indicate underlying cardiac problems that need monitoring.
  • Chest Pain: Unexplained chest pain may necessitate a thorough evaluation of the heart's electrical activity over an extended period.
  • Unexplained Fatigue: Persistent fatigue without a clear cause may be linked to cardiac issues that require assessment through continuous monitoring.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 93248 involves several key steps to ensure accurate and effective monitoring of the patient's cardiac rhythm. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Device Preparation and Placement - The healthcare professional 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 contact with the skin for accurate readings. An initial test recording is performed to confirm that the device is functioning correctly.
  • Step 2: Patient Instruction - After the device is securely attached, the patient receives detailed instructions on how to use and care for the recording device. This includes guidance on maintaining the device's functionality and ensuring it remains in place during daily activities.
  • Step 3: Activation and Continuous Recording - The healthcare professional activates the device, which begins the continuous recording of the ECG rhythm. This recording takes place over a period exceeding 7 days and up to 15 days, allowing for comprehensive monitoring of the patient's heart activity during their normal daily routines.
  • Step 4: Device Return and Data Download - At the conclusion of the monitoring period, the patient returns the device to the healthcare facility. The recorded data is then downloaded from the device for further analysis.
  • Step 5: Data Analysis and Interpretation - A computerized analysis of the ECG data is performed, generating a report that summarizes the findings. A physician or qualified healthcare professional reviews this report and provides a written interpretation of the results, which may include identifying any arrhythmias or other significant cardiac events.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the external electrocardiographic recording procedure, the patient may be advised on any necessary follow-up actions based on the interpretation of the ECG data. This may include scheduling additional tests, consultations with a cardiologist, or implementing lifestyle changes if any abnormalities are detected. The patient should also be informed about the importance of reporting any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider. Overall, the post-procedure care focuses on ensuring that the patient understands the results and any subsequent steps required for their cardiac health management.

Short Descr EXT ECG>7D<15D REV&INTERPJ
Medium Descr EXTERNAL ECG REC>7D<15D REVIEW & INTERPRETATION
Long Descr External electrocardiographic recording for more than 7 days up to 15 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage; review and interpretation
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 2 - Professional Component Only Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
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 Items and Services Not Billable to the MAC
Type of Service (TOS) 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1
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.
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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.
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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).
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).
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).
57 Decision for surgery: an evaluation and management service that resulted in the initial decision to perform the surgery may be identified by adding modifier 57 to the appropriate level of e/m service.
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.
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)
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
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
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
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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2021-01-01 Added Code added.
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