Summary & Overview
CPT 93740: Intracardiac Temperature Mapping Diagnostic Procedure
CPT code 93740 describes an intracardiac diagnostic electrophysiology procedure that uses a temperature-sensing catheter to map temperature variations across the heart wall to identify malfunctioning myocardial tissue. This specialized diagnostic mapping supports clinical decision-making in patients with arrhythmias or suspected localized myocardial dysfunction and is relevant for hospitals and electrophysiology centers offering advanced catheter-based diagnostics. Nationally, accurate coding for this service impacts clinical documentation, procedure tracking, and reimbursement for invasive cardiac electrophysiology.
Key payers considered include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, common billing modifiers, and payer coverage patterns where available. The publication outlines benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement when provided, highlights relevant policy updates affecting invasive electrophysiology services, and summarizes coding considerations specific to mapping procedures. The content is intended to help billing, compliance, and clinical teams understand the purpose of CPT code 93740, its place within electrophysiology service lines, and the administrative elements that typically accompany its use. Data not available in the input will be explicitly noted in relevant sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 93740 describes an invasive electrophysiology diagnostic procedure in which a temperature sensor mounted on a catheter is inserted through a vascular access (typically via the femoral vein in the groin) and advanced to the heart. The provider measures temperature variations at multiple locations along the cardiac walls and maps those measurements to identify areas of myocardial malfunction.
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Service type: Intracardiac temperature mapping diagnostic procedure
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Typical site of service: Hospital cardiac catheterization lab or specialized electrophysiology lab
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 67-year-old male with a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy and recurrent symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias is referred for invasive electrophysiologic mapping. The patient presents with palpitations, presyncope, and an implanted loop recorder demonstrating frequent nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Prior noninvasive testing including 12-lead ECG and transthoracic echocardiography localize an area of scar in the left ventricle. The electrophysiology team performs a left-sided transvenous catheter procedure under conscious sedation in a cardiac catheterization laboratory. A thermistor-equipped mapping catheter is advanced from the femoral vein (or artery if retrograde aortic approach is required) into the left ventricle to measure temperature variations across endocardial surfaces. Temperature-based mapping is performed to identify regions of abnormal myocardium and correlate with electrical signals for targeted ablation planning. The procedure involves continuous hemodynamic monitoring, fluoroscopic and electroanatomic mapping guidance, sterile vascular access at the groin, and postprocedure recovery in an ambulatory or inpatient observation setting.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — standard reporting | Use when no special circumstances apply and the service is provided as usual. |