CPT 93000: Electrocardiogram, Complete
CPT 93000 reports a routine electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) with at least 12 leads, complete — including the tracing, interpretation, and report. In 2026 Medicare pays about $15.36 globally. Unlike modifier-based radiology, the ECG splits into separate codes: 93005 for the tracing only and 93010 for the interpretation and report.
- Code type
- Electrocardiogram, complete (12+ leads)
- 2026 Medicare (global)
- $15.36
- Components
- Global 93000 = tracing (93005) + interpretation (93010)
- Global period
- XXX (concept does not apply)
What is CPT 93000 used for?
CPT 93000 reports a routine electrocardiogram with at least 12 leads, complete — meaning the tracing was acquired AND a physician interpreted it and wrote a report. It is one of the highest-volume codes in medicine, ordered for chest pain, palpitations, syncope, arrhythmia, medication monitoring, and pre-operative evaluation.
The word complete is the whole story: 93000 is billed only when the same entity performs both the tracing and the interpretation. When those two pieces are done by different parties, you split into 93005 and 93010 instead.
How much does 93000 pay in 2026, and how does the split work?
The 2026 national Medicare allowed amount for the complete ECG is about $15.36. Unlike radiology, the ECG does not use modifiers 26 and TC — it uses two dedicated component codes that add up to the global:
| Code | Component | Covers | Approx. 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93005 | Technical (tracing) | Machine, leads, technician — no interpretation | ~$6 |
| 93010 | Professional (read) | Interpretation and report only | ~$9 |
| 93000 | Global (complete) | Both, same entity | ~$15.36 |
The tracing plus the read equal the complete fee — there is no advantage to splitting versus billing global. Check your locality-adjusted amount with the Medicare fee calculator.
93000 versus 93005 versus 93010 — who bills what
Example: a hospital acquires a 12-lead ECG on an inpatient, and a cardiologist later interprets it. The hospital bills the tracing through its facility system (the 93005 equivalent), and the cardiologist bills 93010 for about $9 for the interpretation and report. Neither bills the $15.36 global 93000.
- Office that runs the ECG and reads it: bill 93000 (complete) for ~$15.36.
- Facility acquires the tracing; outside physician reads: facility side plus physician 93010.
- Your entity performs only the tracing: bill 93005, no interpretation.
How does 93000 fit the ECG code family?
The routine ECG is deliberately split into three codes so each party bills only what it performed.
- 93000 — complete ECG (tracing + interpretation + report).
- 93005 — tracing only, no interpretation.
- 93010 — interpretation and report only.
This code-based split contrasts with the modifier-based split in radiology. For a cardiology service that DOES use the 26/TC modifier structure, see the echocardiogram 93306. Same-day billing with an office visit is governed by NCCI edits.
Frequently asked questions
The 2026 national Medicare allowed amount for the complete ECG (93000) is about $15.36. That equals the tracing-only code (93005) plus the interpretation-only code (93010) added together. Medicare pays 80 percent after the deductible; the patient or secondary owes the 20 percent coinsurance.
The electrocardiogram was assigned dedicated split codes rather than the 26/TC modifier structure used by radiology. 93005 is the technical portion (the tracing) and 93010 is the professional portion (interpretation and report). You report those separate codes, not 93000-26 or 93000-TC. The economics are the same — 93005 plus 93010 equals the 93000 global — but the mechanism is code-based, not modifier-based.
Yes, when the ECG is medically necessary and distinct from the E/M service. The interpretation is a separately identifiable service, so 93000 is generally payable alongside a 99213 or 99214. Watch NCCI edits and payer policy; some plans bundle a routine pre-op ECG into the visit.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed by the ImmediCare Solutions RCM team
Certified billers and coders handling claims across 50+ specialties nationwide. This entry is reviewed against current payer policy and CMS rules. Last review: Jul 5, 2026.
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