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Official Description

Interrogation device evaluation(s) (remote), up to 90 days; single, dual, or multiple lead pacemaker system, leadless pacemaker system, or implantable defibrillator system, remote data acquisition(s), receipt of transmissions and technician review, technical support and distribution of results

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 93296 refers to the process of remote interrogation device evaluation(s) for pacemaker systems and implantable defibrillator systems. This procedure encompasses a comprehensive assessment of the device's functionality over a period of up to 90 days. It includes various types of pacemaker systems, such as leadless, single, dual, or multiple lead configurations, as well as implantable defibrillator systems. The remote interrogation process involves the acquisition of data from the device, which is transmitted to a monitoring facility where it is reviewed by a technician. This technician plays a crucial role in ensuring that the device is functioning correctly by evaluating the data against pre-established parameters set by the physician. The technician also assesses the device's leads and battery status, identifying any discrepancies or alerts that may arise during the evaluation. Furthermore, the technician is responsible for communicating any significant findings, including patient-reported symptoms, to the physician or other qualified healthcare professionals. This structured approach ensures that the patient's device is continuously monitored, and any necessary adjustments or interventions can be made promptly, thereby enhancing patient safety and care.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 93296 is indicated for patients who have a pacemaker system or an implantable defibrillator system that requires ongoing monitoring and evaluation. The following conditions may warrant the use of this remote interrogation evaluation:

  • Device Monitoring: Patients with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators need regular assessments to ensure the devices are functioning correctly and effectively.
  • Symptom Evaluation: Patients experiencing symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or syncope may require interrogation to determine if the device is responding appropriately to their cardiac needs.
  • Battery Status Check: Regular evaluations are necessary to monitor the battery life of the device, ensuring timely replacement before depletion.
  • Lead Function Assessment: The integrity and performance of the leads connected to the device must be assessed to prevent complications related to lead failure.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 93296 involves several key steps to ensure a thorough evaluation of the pacemaker or implantable defibrillator system:

  • Patient Registration: The patient is registered for remote interrogation at a designated monitoring facility. This registration process includes providing the patient with the necessary equipment and detailed installation instructions to facilitate the remote monitoring process.
  • Establishment of Interrogation Schedule: Based on the physician's orders, an interrogation schedule is established. This schedule outlines the frequency and timing of the remote evaluations to ensure consistent monitoring of the device.
  • Data Acquisition: The technician performs the interrogation of the pacemaker or defibrillator, acquiring data remotely. This step involves the collection of device performance metrics and patient data transmitted from the device to the monitoring facility.
  • Data Review: Upon receiving the data, the technician reviews it meticulously, comparing the findings against the parameters set by the physician. This review process is critical for identifying any deviations or alerts that may indicate potential issues with the device.
  • Evaluation of Device Function: The technician assesses the overall function of the device, including the performance of the leads and the status of the battery. This evaluation helps in determining the operational integrity of the device.
  • Communication of Findings: Any variations from the established parameters, along with alerts and patient-reported symptoms, are communicated to the physician or other qualified healthcare professionals. This step ensures that any necessary clinical actions can be taken promptly.
  • Data Transfer and Reporting: Finally, the technician transfers all interrogated data and findings to a secure database and generates a comprehensive report detailing the evaluated parameters. This report is made available for the physician's review, facilitating informed clinical decision-making.

3. Post-Procedure

After the remote interrogation procedure is completed, the patient may not require any immediate post-procedure care, as the evaluation is conducted remotely. However, it is essential for the patient to remain vigilant regarding any symptoms or changes in their condition. The technician's report, which includes findings and any alerts, will be reviewed by the physician, who may schedule follow-up appointments or additional interventions based on the results. Continuous monitoring and timely communication between the patient and healthcare providers are crucial to ensure optimal device performance and patient safety.

Short Descr REM INTERROG EVL PM/IDS
Medium Descr REM INTERROG PM/LDLS PM/IDS <90 D TECH REVIEW
Long Descr Interrogation device evaluation(s) (remote), up to 90 days; single, dual, or multiple lead pacemaker system, leadless pacemaker system, or implantable defibrillator system, remote data acquisition(s), receipt of transmissions and technician review, technical support and distribution of results
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) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures 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
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) T2D - Other tests - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 203 - Electrographic cardiac monitoring
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.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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.
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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).
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.
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.)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GB Claim being re-submitted for payment because it is no longer covered under a global payment demonstration
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
GJ "opt out" physician or practitioner emergency or urgent service
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
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
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
QV Item or service provided as routine care in a medicare qualifying clinical trial
QW Clia waived test
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
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2019-01-01 Changed Long and Medium Description Changed
2015-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2009-01-01 Added -
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