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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesContinuous External Electrocardiographic Recording ProceduresCPT cpt-0938t-extended-ambulatory-cardiac-rhythm-monitoring-15-30-days
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    CPT 0938T: Continuous External Heart Rhythm Monitoring Setup (15–30 Days)

    CPT code 0938T describes the setup and connection of an external cardiac monitoring device that continuously records the patient’s heart rhythm for more than 15 days and up to 30 days; service type: continuous external ambulatory cardiac monitoring; typical site of service: outpatient clinic or ambulatory care setting where the device is applied and programmed for extended home monitoring.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA), Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment, Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult referred by primary care or cardiology for evaluation of unexplained palpitations, syncope, presyncope, or intermittent near-fainting episodes. The patient has had prior short-term ambulatory monitoring (eg, 24–48 hour Holter) that did not capture symptoms or arrhythmia, and the clinician suspects infrequent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, or intermittent conduction block. The clinical workflow begins with the ordering clinician evaluating history and prior testing, obtaining informed consent, and scheduling device placement. On the day of service the provider or trained staff fits and programs the external continuous ambulatory ECG recorder, attaches electrodes, educates the patient on device care and symptom event reporting, and documents start time. The device continuously records heart rhythm for more than 15 days up to 30 days. The episode of care covered by 0938T is device setup and initiation of recording; subsequent device removal, data retrieval, transmission, and formal interpretation are reported separately. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic, cardiac diagnostic lab, or ambulatory care center. Common patient follow-up includes remote or in-person device check, symptom-event correlation, and clinician review of the captured rhythm strip after monitoring completion.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    93229External mobile cardiovascular telemetry with continuous rhythm monitoring and reporting, transmission of electrocardiographic data, real-time arrhythmia detection, 30 daysAlternative continuous monitoring service with real-time transmission; may be selected instead of or in addition to extended external recorders depending on clinical needs
    93228External mobile cardiovascular telemetry, hook up and lead placement onlyHook-up service for mobile telemetry devices; analogous to the setup component that 0938T represents for non-telemetry prolonged recorders
    93224External electrocardiographic recording with processing and review up to 48 hours; interpretation and reportShort-term ambulatory monitoring often used prior to prolonged monitoring; represents prior or alternative monitoring modality
    93268Interrogation device evaluation (transmission) of implanted pacemaker or defibrillatorEvaluation of implanted devices is a different workflow but may be part of the overall arrhythmia evaluation pathway alongside external monitoring
    93291External continuous rhythm monitoring service professional interpretation and reportRepresents the interpretation and report component for longer-term external monitoring, typically billed separately from the device setup covered by 0938T

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    24Modifier 24 denotes an unrelated evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or qualified healthcare professional during a postoperative global period. Per CPT guidance,…- Use modifier 24 when you report an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed by the same physician or same-specialty group during a procedure’s postoperative global period that is unrelated…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RC0000XCardiovascular Disease PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    225XE1200XErgonomics Occupational TherapistRespiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Occupational Therapist
    1223X2210XOrofacial Pain DentistryA dentist who assesses, diagnoses, and treats patients with complex chronic orofacial pain and dysfunction disorders, oromotor and jaw behavior disord…
    207RC0200XCritical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist who diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialist may have administrative responsibilities for…
    1835P1400XPain Management PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skills, providing integrated, comprehensive, and accessible healthcare services t…
    163WP2201XAmbulatory Care Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    6 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessmentblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-0937T-EXTENDED-EXTERNAL-AMBULATORY-CARDIAC-MONITORING-15-30-DAYS

    CPT 0937T: Extended External Ambulatory Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring (>15–30 days)

    CPT-0939T-LONG-TERM-AMBULATORY-ECG-DATA-ANALYSIS-15-30-DAYS

    CPT 0939T: External Ambulatory ECG Monitoring, >15–30 Days

    CPT-0940T-PROLONGED-AMBULATORY-ECG-15-TO-30-DAYS-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 0940T: External ECG Monitoring Interpretation for 15–30 Days

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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