CPT 93000 is a standard 12-lead ECG: stickers on the chest, arms and legs record the heart's electrical activity for a few seconds, and a clinician reads and signs the tracing. It is done for chest pain, palpitations, before surgery and as part of many check-ups.
What the price covers
This code bundles the tracing and the interpretation. Some hospitals bill the technical part (93005) and the reading (93010) separately instead, so compare like with like. The price does not include the visit that ordered the test.
Why prices vary
An ECG costs a hospital a few dollars in supplies and a few minutes of staff time, yet listed prices range from under $50 to several hundred. It is a classic example of chargemaster pricing bearing little relation to cost. Cash prices are usually much lower than gross charges; urgent-care clinics and physician offices are often cheaper than hospitals.
Questions to ask
- Is the price for 93000, or for 93005 and 93010 separately?
- Is the interpretation included?
- What is the self-pay price if I am not admitted or seen in the emergency department?