CPT 92960: External Cardioversion/Defibrillation for Arrhythmia

Medicare pays $160 and commercial payers pay $612 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 92960 describes external cardioversion/defibrillation: a procedure in which a clinician delivers an electrical shock with an external defibrillator to restore normal heart rate and rhythm in patients with arrhythmia. This service is an urgent or non-emergent cardiac electrical therapy typically performed in the emergency department, hospital inpatient setting, or monitored procedure area and is billed for the act of rhythm restoration using external transthoracic shock.

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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Medicare’s mean of $159.70 sits well below BUCA’s average commercial level of $612.10, indicating a substantial gap between federal reimbursement and this commercial benchmark. The difference of $452.40 highlights how commercial agreements can run materially higher than Medicare for CPT 92960, with BUCA representing a higher-cost commercial reference point relative to Medicare’s $159.70 mean.

Dispersion varies notably across payers: Blue Cross Blue Shield shows one of the widest interquartile spreads (P75–P25 = $320.00), reflecting greater variability in negotiated rates, while Aetna’s interquartile range is tighter at $130.00. UnitedHealth Group’s IQR is $159.50 and Cigna’s is $152.50, placing them in the middle. BUCA’s commercial IQR is $140.00, making it relatively moderate compared with the extremes. These ranges reveal where rates are most clustered versus most dispersed among payers.

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CPT 92960: External Cardioversion/Defibrillation for Arrhythmia

Medicare pays $160 and commercial payers pay $612 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 92960 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 92960 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and ischemic heart disease presents to the emergency department with sudden-onset palpitations, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Telemetry and a 12-lead ECG demonstrate unstable supraventricular tachycardia with rapidly irregular ventricular response consistent with atrial fibrillation with hemodynamic compromise. The cardiology team elects to perform synchronized external cardioversion using an external defibrillator to restore normal sinus rhythm. Sedation and airway monitoring are provided in the ED by emergency medicine and nursing staff, continuous ECG and oxygen saturation monitoring are maintained, and post‑procedure observation and a repeat 93000 ECG are obtained prior to disposition. Documentation includes indication for cardioversion, consent, sedation record, energy level(s) delivered, pad/paddle placement, immediate rhythm outcome, and any complications.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`93000`	Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report	Performed before and/or after cardioversion to document baseline rhythm and confirm post‑procedure sinus rhythm.
`93224`	External electrocardiographic monitoring of cardiac rhythm for up to 48 hours by continuous recording and storage; includes recording, scanning analysis, and report	May be used following cardioversion to monitor for recurrent arrhythmia.
`93653`	Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation including insertion and repositioning of catheters; with induction or attempted induction of arrhythmia, with or without ablation	Related when an electrophysiology study or ablation is performed if recurrent arrhythmia persists after cardioversion.
`92950`	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), emergency; manual	May be performed for cardiac arrest situations distinct from elective cardioversion; relevant in emergent arrhythmia deterioration.
`92961`	Cardioversion, elective, internal (invasive)	Alternative procedure when internal cardioversion is required or chosen instead of external synchronized cardioversion.
`93799`	Unlisted cardiovascular service or procedure	Use when a related cardiovascular service is not described by existing CPT codes and additional documentation is required.

Related Modifiers

11 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
25	CPT 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.,…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
47	Modifier -47 (“Anesthesia by Surgeon”) is appended to a surgical or procedural CPT code when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia for the procedure. Use of -47 indicates the…	- Use modifier -47 when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia during the surgical procedure (i.e., the surgeon administers the anesthesia in addition to performing the…
50	Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…	- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 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…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

Showing 1–10 of 11

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
207RC0200X	Critical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) Physician	An internist who diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialist may have administrative responsibilities for…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
208600000X	Surgery Physician	A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of s…
320900000X	Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Community Based Residential Treatment Facility	A home-like residential facility providing habilitation, support and monitoring services to individuals diagnosed with intellectual and/or development…
261QI0500X	Infusion Therapy Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
1835I0206X	Infectious Diseases Pharmacist	A licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the use of microbiology and pharmacology to develop, implement, and moni…
103TC2200X	Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist	A psychologist who develops and applies scientific knowledge to the delivery of psychological services to infants, toddlers, children and adolescents …

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Cardiology1 / 2

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Maine	2026-10-01
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Computed Tomography to Detect Coronary Artery Calcification	Bluecross Idaho	2026-09-01
Intracoronary Drug Delivery Balloon Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Cardiac Imaging Guidelines	evicore	2026-09-01
Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Stroke Prevention	Ambetter Georgia	2026-08-26

CPT 92950: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Attempt

CPT-92953-CARDIAC-ELECTRICAL-STIMULATION-FOR-ARRHYTHMIA

CPT 92953: Cardiac Pacing by Transcardiac Electrical Stimulation

CPT-92961-ELECTRICAL-CARDIOVERSION-WITH-IV-MEDICATION

CPT 92961: Cardioversion with Pharmacologic Support

CPT-92970-AORTIC-BALLOON-CATHETER-CIRCULATORY-ASSIST

CPT 92970: Insertion of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump

CPT-92971-LOWER-EXTREMITY-PNEUMATIC-COMPRESSION

CPT 92971: Pneumatic Intermittent Compression of Lower Extremities

CPT-92973-PERCUTANEOUS-CORONARY-MECHANICAL-THROMBECTOMY-ASPIRATION

CPT 92973: Percutaneous Coronary Thrombectomy, Mechanical Aspiration

CPT-92974-INTRAVASCULAR-BRACHYTHERAPY-FOR-CORONARY-STENOSIS

CPT 92974: Coronary Brachytherapy for Arterial Restenosis

CPT-92978-INTRAVASCULAR-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION-CORONARY-VESSEL

CPT 92978: Intravascular Coronary Imaging and Interpretation

CPT-92986-BALLOON-AORTIC-VALVULOPLASTY

CPT 92986: Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty

CPT-92987-MITRAL-VALVULOPLASTY-BALLOON-DILATION

CPT 92987: Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty

Showing 1–10 of 13

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`93000`	Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report	Performed before and/or after cardioversion to document baseline rhythm and confirm post‑procedure sinus rhythm.
`93224`	External electrocardiographic monitoring of cardiac rhythm for up to 48 hours by continuous recording and storage; includes recording, scanning analysis, and report	May be used following cardioversion to monitor for recurrent arrhythmia.
`93653`	Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation including insertion and repositioning of catheters; with induction or attempted induction of arrhythmia, with or without ablation	Related when an electrophysiology study or ablation is performed if recurrent arrhythmia persists after cardioversion.
`92950`	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), emergency; manual	May be performed for cardiac arrest situations distinct from elective cardioversion; relevant in emergent arrhythmia deterioration.
`92961`	Cardioversion, elective, internal (invasive)	Alternative procedure when internal cardioversion is required or chosen instead of external synchronized cardioversion.
`93799`	Unlisted cardiovascular service or procedure	Use when a related cardiovascular service is not described by existing CPT codes and additional documentation is required.

Related Modifiers

11 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
25	CPT 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.,…
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
47	Modifier -47 (“Anesthesia by Surgeon”) is appended to a surgical or procedural CPT code when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia for the procedure. Use of -47 indicates the…	- Use modifier -47 when the surgeon personally provides regional or general anesthesia during the surgical procedure (i.e., the surgeon administers the anesthesia in addition to performing the…
50	Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…	- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 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…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

Showing 1–10 of 11

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207RC0000X	Cardiovascular Disease Physician	An internist who specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels and manages complex cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and life-threaten…
207RC0200X	Critical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) Physician	An internist who diagnoses, treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction. This specialist may have administrative responsibilities for…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
208600000X	Surgery Physician	A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of s…
320900000X	Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Community Based Residential Treatment Facility	A home-like residential facility providing habilitation, support and monitoring services to individuals diagnosed with intellectual and/or development…
261QI0500X	Infusion Therapy Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
1835I0206X	Infectious Diseases Pharmacist	A licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the use of microbiology and pharmacology to develop, implement, and moni…
103TC2200X	Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist	A psychologist who develops and applies scientific knowledge to the delivery of psychological services to infants, toddlers, children and adolescents …

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Cardiology1 / 2

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)	univerahealthcare	2026-10-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Maine	2026-10-01
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Computed Tomography to Detect Coronary Artery Calcification	Bluecross Idaho	2026-09-01
Intracoronary Drug Delivery Balloon Procedures	Blue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island	2026-09-01
Cardiac Imaging Guidelines	evicore	2026-09-01
Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Stroke Prevention	Ambetter Georgia	2026-08-26

CPT 92950: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Attempt

CPT-92953-CARDIAC-ELECTRICAL-STIMULATION-FOR-ARRHYTHMIA

CPT 92953: Cardiac Pacing by Transcardiac Electrical Stimulation

CPT-92961-ELECTRICAL-CARDIOVERSION-WITH-IV-MEDICATION

CPT 92961: Cardioversion with Pharmacologic Support

CPT-92970-AORTIC-BALLOON-CATHETER-CIRCULATORY-ASSIST

CPT 92970: Insertion of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump

CPT-92971-LOWER-EXTREMITY-PNEUMATIC-COMPRESSION

CPT 92971: Pneumatic Intermittent Compression of Lower Extremities

CPT-92973-PERCUTANEOUS-CORONARY-MECHANICAL-THROMBECTOMY-ASPIRATION

CPT 92973: Percutaneous Coronary Thrombectomy, Mechanical Aspiration

CPT-92974-INTRAVASCULAR-BRACHYTHERAPY-FOR-CORONARY-STENOSIS

CPT 92974: Coronary Brachytherapy for Arterial Restenosis

CPT-92978-INTRAVASCULAR-IMAGING-INTERPRETATION-CORONARY-VESSEL

CPT 92978: Intravascular Coronary Imaging and Interpretation

CPT-92986-BALLOON-AORTIC-VALVULOPLASTY

CPT 92986: Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty

CPT-92987-MITRAL-VALVULOPLASTY-BALLOON-DILATION

CPT 92987: Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty

Showing 1–10 of 13

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 92960: External Cardioversion/Defibrillation for Arrhythmia

Sign up for cpt 92960 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

OpenPayer

CPT 92960: External Cardioversion/Defibrillation for Arrhythmia

Sign up for cpt 92960 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 92960: External Cardioversion/Defibrillation for Arrhythmia

Sign up for cpt 92960 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

CPT 92960: External Cardioversion/Defibrillation for Arrhythmia

Sign up for cpt 92960 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 92960 describe?

When might a 93000 ECG be reported in relation to CPT 92960?

Which diagnoses listed support use of CPT 92960?

What related CPT codes might be relevant when billing around a cardioversion event?

What documentation elements are noted as present in the clinical context for CPT 92960?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 92960 describe?

When might a 93000 ECG be reported in relation to CPT 92960?

Which diagnoses listed support use of CPT 92960?

What related CPT codes might be relevant when billing around a cardioversion event?

What documentation elements are noted as present in the clinical context for CPT 92960?

References