How To Use CPT Code 93248

CPT 93248 refers to the external electrocardiographic recording for more than 7 days up to 15 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage, including the provider’s review and interpretation. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 93248.

1. What is CPT 93248?

CPT 93248 is a medical billing code used to describe the process of external electrocardiographic recording for more than 7 days up to 15 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage. This code specifically covers the provider’s review and interpretation of the recorded data. The purpose of this procedure is to detect abnormal heart rates and rhythms in patients, which can help diagnose and manage various cardiovascular conditions.

2. 93248 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 93248 is: “External electrocardiographic recording for more than 7 days up to 15 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage; review and interpretation.”

3. Procedure

1. Patient is provided with an external electrocardiographic recorder to wear for more than 7 days up to 15 days.
2. The recorder continuously monitors and records the patient’s heart rhythm during the specified period.
3. Patient may be instructed to keep a diary of events and symptoms experienced during the monitoring period.
4. After the monitoring period, the recorded data is sent to a processing center for initial analysis.
5. A technician at the processing center generates a preliminary report of the findings.
6. The provider reviews the preliminary report, recorded data, and the patient’s diary events to complete a final interpretation.
7. CPT 93248 is billed for the provider’s review and interpretation of the recorded data.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 93248 services are those who require extended monitoring of their heart rhythm due to suspected or known cardiovascular conditions. These may include, but are not limited to, arrhythmias, syncope, palpitations, or unexplained chest pain. The provider must determine that the patient’s condition warrants the use of extended electrocardiographic monitoring to make an accurate diagnosis or to manage the patient’s treatment effectively.

5. When to use CPT code 93248

It is appropriate to bill the 93248 CPT code when a patient has worn an external electrocardiographic recorder for more than 7 days up to 15 days, and the provider has completed a review and interpretation of the recorded data. This code should be used only for the provider’s review and interpretation, not for the technical component of the monitoring process or the initial analysis by the processing center technician.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 93248, the following information should be documented in the patient’s medical record:

• Medical necessity for extended electrocardiographic monitoring, including the patient’s symptoms and/or diagnosis.
• Duration of the monitoring period (more than 7 days up to 15 days).
• Details of the patient’s diary events, if applicable.
• Preliminary report from the processing center technician.
• Provider’s final interpretation of the recorded data, including any relevant findings and their correlation with the patient’s symptoms or events.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 93248, it is essential to ensure that the code accurately represents the provider’s review and interpretation of the external electrocardiographic recording. This code should not be reported in conjunction with other codes for the same monitoring period, such as 93224, 93225, 93226, 93227, 93228, 93229, 93241, 93242, 93243, 93244, 93268, 93270, 93271, 93272, 99091, 99453, or 99454.

8. Historical information

CPT 93248 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2021. There have been no updates to this code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 93248

Five similar codes to CPT 93248 and how they differ are:

• CPT 93224: Covers external electrocardiographic recording up to 48 hours by continuous rhythm recording and storage, including the provider’s review and interpretation.
• CPT 93225: Represents only the technical component of the external electrocardiographic recording up to 48 hours.
• CPT 93226: Covers only the provider’s review and interpretation of the external electrocardiographic recording up to 48 hours.
• CPT 93241: Refers to external electrocardiographic recording for 48 hours to 7 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage, including the provider’s review and interpretation.
• CPT 93242: Represents only the technical component of the external electrocardiographic recording for 48 hours to 7 days.

10. Examples

1. A patient with a history of syncope wears an external electrocardiographic recorder for 10 days. The provider reviews the recorded data and identifies episodes of bradycardia correlating with the patient’s reported symptoms.
2. A patient with unexplained chest pain undergoes continuous rhythm recording for 12 days. The provider’s review and interpretation reveal occasional premature ventricular contractions, but no significant arrhythmias.
3. A patient with palpitations wears an external electrocardiographic recorder for 14 days. The provider’s review and interpretation of the data show episodes of atrial fibrillation.
4. A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation undergoes continuous rhythm recording for 9 days to assess the effectiveness of a new medication. The provider’s review and interpretation indicate a reduction in the frequency and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes.
5. A patient with suspected paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia wears an external electrocardiographic recorder for 11 days. The provider’s review and interpretation confirm the diagnosis based on the recorded data.
6. A patient with a family history of sudden cardiac death undergoes continuous rhythm recording for 15 days as part of a screening process. The provider’s review and interpretation reveal no significant arrhythmias or abnormalities.
7. A patient with recurrent dizziness wears an external electrocardiographic recorder for 13 days. The provider’s review and interpretation of the data show sinus pauses correlating with the patient’s reported symptoms.
8. A patient with a history of ventricular tachycardia undergoes continuous rhythm recording for 8 days to monitor the effectiveness of an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator. The provider’s review and interpretation indicate appropriate device therapy for detected episodes of ventricular tachycardia.
9. A patient with unexplained fatigue wears an external electrocardiographic recorder for 10 days. The provider’s review and interpretation of the data reveal episodes of atrial flutter.
10. A patient with a history of myocardial infarction undergoes continuous rhythm recording for 14 days to assess the risk of arrhythmias. The provider’s review and interpretation show no significant arrhythmias or abnormalities.