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The CPT® Code 93270 refers to a specific type of external electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring procedure that is designed to capture and record the heart's rhythm over a period of up to 30 days. This procedure involves the use of an external ECG device that the patient wears while engaging in their normal daily activities. The device is equipped with electrodes or leads that are placed on the patient's chest, allowing for continuous monitoring of the heart's electrical activity. The patient receives instructions on how to operate the monitoring device effectively.
The unique feature of this procedure is its symptom-related memory loop capability. The device continuously records ECG data in a loop, which means it retains a short segment of data prior to, during, and after any symptomatic episodes that the patient may experience. When the patient notices symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness, they can activate the monitor, which then saves the ECG data from the memory loop. This includes the 60 to 90 seconds of data leading up to the symptom, the duration of the symptom, and a brief period following the symptom's resolution. This functionality is crucial for capturing transient arrhythmias or other cardiac events that may not be present during routine monitoring.
After the monitoring period, the recorded data is transmitted to a receiving station where it is printed out for review. A physician or qualified healthcare professional then interprets the ECG data to assess the patient's cardiac health. It is important to note that while CPT® Code 93270 is used for the recording aspect of the procedure, other related codes are designated for different components of the service, such as transmission and interpretation. This structured approach ensures that each part of the monitoring process is accurately captured and billed, facilitating proper reimbursement and compliance with coding standards.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 93270 is indicated for patients who exhibit symptoms suggestive of cardiac arrhythmias or other transient cardiac events. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to, the following:
The procedure for CPT® Code 93270 involves several key steps to ensure effective monitoring of the patient's cardiac rhythm. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care for patients who have undergone monitoring with CPT® Code 93270 typically involves the review and interpretation of the transmitted ECG data by a physician or qualified healthcare professional. The expected recovery is generally straightforward, as the procedure is non-invasive and does not require any significant downtime. Patients may resume their normal activities immediately after the device is disconnected. It is important for patients to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results of the ECG monitoring and any necessary further evaluations or treatments based on the findings. Additionally, patients should be informed about the importance of reporting any new or recurring symptoms to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | REMOTE 30 DAY ECG REV/REPORT | Medium Descr | XTRNL PT ACTIVATED ECG RECORD MONITOR 30 DAYS | Long Descr | External patient and, when performed, auto activated electrocardiographic rhythm derived event recording with symptom-related memory loop with remote download capability up to 30 days, 24-hour attended monitoring; 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main 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). | 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) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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 | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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Date
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Action
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Notes
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Long description revised. Medium description changed. Short description changed. Location in hierarchy changed. |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| 2003-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1995-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1995. |
| 1986-12-31 | Deleted | Code deleted. |
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