How To Use CPT Code 93244

CPT 93244 describes the review and interpretation of an external electrocardiographic recording that has been worn by a patient for more than 48 hours up to 7 days. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 93244?

CPT 93244 can be used to describe the review and interpretation of an external electrocardiographic recording that has been worn by a patient for more than 48 hours up to 7 days. This code is used when a healthcare provider completes a final interpretation of the electrocardiographic findings after the initial findings report provided by a processing center technician.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 93244 is: ‘External electrocardiographic recording for more than 48 hours up to 7 days by continuous rhythm recording and storage; review and interpretation.’

3. Procedure

1. After a patient has worn an external electrocardiographic recorder for more than 48 hours up to 7 days, the provider completes a review and interpretation of the electrocardiographic findings.
2. The provider uses the data from the recorder, along with the patient’s logged diary events, to make a final interpretation.
3. This code represents only the provider’s review and interpretation of the electrocardiographic recording.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 93244 is used when a patient has worn an external electrocardiographic recorder for more than 48 hours up to 7 days and the provider completes a review and interpretation of the recorded data. This code should not be reported in conjunction with other codes for the same monitoring period.

5. When to use CPT code 93244

CPT code 93244 should be used when a healthcare provider completes a review and interpretation of an external electrocardiographic recording that has been worn by a patient for more than 48 hours up to 7 days. This code represents the final interpretation of the recorded data.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 93244, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Length of time the patient wore the external electrocardiographic recorder
• Initial findings report provided by the processing center technician
• Data from the recorder and the patient’s logged diary events used for the final interpretation
• Final interpretation of the electrocardiographic findings

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 93244, ensure that the provider has completed a review and interpretation of an external electrocardiographic recording that has been worn by a patient for more than 48 hours up to 7 days. Do not report CPT 93244 in conjunction with other codes for the same monitoring period.

8. Historical information

CPT 93244 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2021. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A cardiologist reviewing and interpreting the electrocardiographic findings of a patient who wore an external recorder for 72 hours.
2. An electrophysiologist completing a final interpretation of the electrocardiographic recording of a patient who wore an external recorder for 5 days.
3. A primary care physician reviewing and interpreting the electrocardiographic findings of a patient who wore an external recorder for 56 hours.
4. A cardiac nurse practitioner completing a final interpretation of the electrocardiographic recording of a patient who wore an external recorder for 4 days.
5. A cardiac technician reviewing and interpreting the electrocardiographic findings of a patient who wore an external recorder for 60 hours.
6. A cardiovascular surgeon completing a final interpretation of the electrocardiographic recording of a patient who wore an external recorder for 6 days.
7. A cardiac electrophysiology fellow reviewing and interpreting the electrocardiographic findings of a patient who wore an external recorder for 52 hours.
8. A cardiac nurse completing a final interpretation of the electrocardiographic recording of a patient who wore an external recorder for 3 days.
9. A general practitioner reviewing and interpreting the electrocardiographic findings of a patient who wore an external recorder for 64 hours.
10. A cardiac technician completing a final interpretation of the electrocardiographic recording of a patient who wore an external recorder for 7 days.