CPT code 93042: Rhythm ECG, interpretation and report only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Jersey
Reports a clinician’s interpretation of a one- to three-lead rhythm ECG when the professional reading is billed separately from tracing acquisition.
Medicare pays $7.40–$7.62 for 93042 in the office in New Jersey, from Rest of New Jersey to Northern New Jersey. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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What 93042 covers
93042 represents the interpretation of a limited-lead rhythm ECG, typically a short tracing used to assess heart rate and rhythm, such as when evaluating suspected atrial fibrillation, ectopy, or another arrhythmia. It covers the interpretation and written report for a one- to three-lead rhythm recording, not acquisition of the tracing. Emergency physicians, cardiologists, and other clinicians who interpret ECGs may provide this service in emergency departments, hospitals, or offices.
Report 93042 when documentation supports a rhythm tracing and a corresponding interpretation and report, including the relevant findings and impression. Select it when billing only the professional reading; the technical portion has a separate code. When the same entity provides both tracing and interpretation, 93040 represents the combined rhythm ECG service. CMS classifies 93042 as professional-component-only, so it is not split with modifier 26.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
Where 93042 pays more and less in New Jersey
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Northern New Jersey | $7.62 | $7.62 |
| Rest of New Jersey | $7.40 | $7.40 |
How the 93042 rate is calculated
Each of 93042’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 93042
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.15
0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense0.05
0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.01
0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
0.2100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$7.01
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 93042
The CMS indicators that decide how 93042 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 93042
Rhythm ECG, interpretation and report only
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 2 | Professional component only. |
93042 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 93040Rhythm ECGOne to three leads
- 93040 covers both the rhythm tracing and its interpretation and report. 93042 covers only the professional interpretation and report.
- 93041Rhythm ECGTracing only, 1–3 leads
- 93041 covers acquisition of the one- to three-lead rhythm tracing without the professional reading. 93042 covers the interpretation and report.
- 93010ECG interpretationInterpretation and report only
- 93010 is the interpretation-and-report code for a standard ECG. 93042 is for a limited-lead rhythm ECG.
- 93000Electrocardiogram (ECG)Complete: tracing plus interpretation
- 93000 represents a complete standard ECG service with tracing and interpretation and report; 93042 represents only a limited-lead rhythm ECG interpretation and report.
93042 billing questions
What service does 93042 cover?
It covers interpretation and reporting of a one- to three-lead rhythm ECG. It does not cover acquisition of the tracing.
When should 93042 be used instead of 93040?
Use 93042 when billing only the professional interpretation and report. Use 93040 when the same service includes both the rhythm tracing and its interpretation and report.
Is the rhythm tracing included in 93042?
No. The tracing is the technical portion and has a separate code, 93041.
Should modifier 26 be appended to 93042?
No. 93042 already represents the professional interpretation and report only.
How does 93042 differ from 93010?
93042 reports interpretation of a limited-lead rhythm ECG. 93010 reports interpretation and report for a standard ECG rather than a limited-lead rhythm tracing.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
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