Billing code
G656A — Continuous ECG monitoring (Holter) Level 2 – professional component – 36 to 59 hours
Level-2 Holter reading, 36–59 hours
Bill G656 for personally interpreting a Level 2 continuous ECG recording of 36 to 59 hours.
Watch for: Bill the code for the full duration; don't bill multiples of shorter-duration codes.
| Provider | Specialist | Assistant | Anaesthetist | Non-anaesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $51.15 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
- Code
- G656A
- Description
- Continuous ECG monitoring (Holter) Level 2 – professional component – 36 to 59 hours
- FHO+ basket
- Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2025
- Termination date
- No end date
Explanation
Updated October 26, 2026
Level 2 continuous ambulatory ECG (Holter-type) monitoring, professional component, for a recording of 36 to 59 hours.
What it covers
G656 is the professional component of Level 2 continuous ECG monitoring (for example Holter) for 36 to 59 hours (J16).
Level 2 covers all other monitoring devices: fewer than three skin electrodes, recording only portions of the period, or no trend analysis. Minimum 12 hours of monitoring (J16).
Billing rules
- Minimum 12 hours of monitoring; the device must meet the Level 2 definition (J16).
- Maximum one professional component, one technical recording component and one technical scanning component per patient, per recording (J16).
- For recordings over 36 hours, bill the code for that duration; don't bill multiples of shorter-duration codes (J17).
- External loop recorders that rely only on patient activation and can't analyze rhythm in real time are not insured (J17).
- The report must state the number of channels, whether the recording was continuous, whether analysis was real-time, post-hoc or both, and the device manufacturer and model (J17).
- You must personally interpret the results to bill the professional component (J1).
Often billed with
- G686 technical recording component for the same recording (J16).
- G687 technical scanning component for the same recording (J16).
Related codes: G686, G687, G682, G683, G658
Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures, Electrocardiography (ECG) – Continuous ECG Monitoring, page J16; notes J17.
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