CPT code 59020: Fetal stress test, contraction-induced monitoring2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Alabama
Reports antepartum fetal assessment that monitors the fetal heart rate response to uterine contractions, including contractions induced for the test.
In Alabama, Medicare pays $64.42 for 59020 in the office.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 59020 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 59020 covers
An obstetric clinician uses fetal heart rate and uterine activity monitoring to assess how the fetus responds to contractions. Contractions may occur spontaneously or be induced for testing. The service is generally performed in an obstetric setting when fetal status needs assessment before labor; it is distinct from monitoring a fetus during labor. The record should identify the reason for testing and include the monitoring findings and interpretation.
Report one service for the fetal contraction stress test, supported by documentation that contractions and the fetal heart rate response were evaluated. CMS treats this as a diagnostic test: modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, modifier TC reports the technical service, and no modifier reports the global service. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this single fetal test. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeon and team-surgery payment are not permitted.
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.
How Alabama compares for 59020
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 59020 runs from $63.38 in Arkansas to $92.15 in San Benito County, CA. Alabama pays $64.42. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Alabama · this page$64.42
- Los Angeles, CA · California$79.81+$15.39
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$82.71+$18.29
- Miami, FL · Florida$84.37+$19.95
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$81.41+$16.99
- Manhattan, NY · New York$85.21+$20.79
- Alaska · Alaska$83.58+$19.16
Other areas in Alabama first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| ArkansasArkansas | $63.38 | — |
| ArizonaArizona | $70.50 | — |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $75.07 | — |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $74.59 | — |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $85.38 | — |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $79.23 | — |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $76.59 | — |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $77.99 | — |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $77.70 | — |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $79.39 | — |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $89.90 | — |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $89.68 | — |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $92.15 | — |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $91.27 | — |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $76.50 | — |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $80.01 | — |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $77.95 | — |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $80.79 | — |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $85.07 | — |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $74.56 | — |
| ColoradoColorado | $74.57 | — |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $78.05 | — |
| DelawareDelaware | $71.74 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $78.53 | — |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $74.02 | — |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $74.88 | — |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $69.16 | — |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $76.32 | — |
| IowaIowa | $65.15 | — |
| IdahoIdaho | $65.86 | — |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $75.64 | — |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $72.46 | — |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $79.08 | — |
| IndianaIndiana | $66.26 | — |
| KansasKansas | $65.34 | — |
| KentuckyKentucky | $67.27 | — |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $71.02 | — |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $67.36 | — |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $81.74 | — |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $74.26 | — |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $77.95 | — |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $73.05 | — |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $66.81 | — |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $70.07 | — |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $75.59 | — |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $69.71 | — |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $69.65 | — |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $69.92 | — |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $70.66 | — |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $66.43 | — |
| MississippiMississippi | $64.89 | — |
| MontanaMontana | $72.80 | — |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $67.50 | — |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $69.04 | — |
| NebraskaNebraska | $65.39 | — |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $73.87 | — |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $81.81 | — |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $78.43 | — |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $70.35 | — |
| NevadaNevada | $71.80 | — |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $88.14 | — |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $79.39 | — |
| Queens, NYNew York | $85.19 | — |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $68.67 | — |
| OhioOhio | $68.94 | — |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $66.57 | — |
| Portland, OROregon | $76.54 | — |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $70.75 | — |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $76.27 | — |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $68.77 | — |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $73.21 | — |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $74.02 | — |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $68.44 | — |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $68.60 | — |
| TennesseeTennessee | $65.77 | — |
| Austin, TXTexas | $74.75 | — |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $68.31 | — |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $71.18 | — |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $71.92 | — |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $71.56 | — |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $71.58 | — |
| Houston, TXTexas | $75.06 | — |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $69.90 | — |
| UtahUtah | $69.46 | — |
| VirginiaVirginia | $70.18 | — |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $73.21 | — |
| VermontVermont | $69.23 | — |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $73.96 | — |
| King County, WAWashington | $82.96 | — |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $66.53 | — |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $69.64 | — |
| WyomingWyoming | $71.16 | — |
59020 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$63.38
$83.58
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $83.58 | 1 |
| AL | $64.42 | 1 |
| AR | $63.38 | 1 |
| AZ | $70.50 | 1 |
| CA | $74.56–$92.15 | 29 |
| CO | $74.57 | 1 |
| CT | $78.05 | 1 |
| DC | $82.71 | 1 |
| DE | $71.74 | 1 |
| FL | $74.02–$84.37 | 3 |
| GA | $69.16–$74.88 | 2 |
| GU | $76.32 | 1 |
| HI | $76.32 | 1 |
| IA | $65.15 | 1 |
| ID | $65.86 | 1 |
| IL | $72.46–$81.41 | 4 |
| IN | $66.26 | 1 |
| KS | $65.34 | 1 |
| KY | $67.27 | 1 |
| LA | $67.36–$71.02 | 2 |
| MA | $74.26–$81.74 | 2 |
| MD | $73.05–$82.71 | 3 |
| ME | $66.81–$70.07 | 2 |
| MI | $69.71–$75.59 | 2 |
| MN | $69.65 | 1 |
| MO | $66.43–$70.66 | 3 |
| MS | $64.89 | 1 |
| MT | $72.80 | 1 |
| NC | $67.50 | 1 |
| ND | $69.04 | 1 |
| NE | $65.39 | 1 |
| NH | $73.87 | 1 |
| NJ | $78.43–$81.81 | 2 |
| NM | $70.35 | 1 |
| NV | $71.80 | 1 |
| NY | $68.67–$88.14 | 5 |
| OH | $68.94 | 1 |
| OK | $66.57 | 1 |
| OR | $70.75–$76.54 | 2 |
| PA | $68.77–$76.27 | 2 |
| PR | $73.21 | 1 |
| RI | $74.02 | 1 |
| SC | $68.44 | 1 |
| SD | $68.60 | 1 |
| TN | $65.77 | 1 |
| TX | $68.31–$75.06 | 8 |
| UT | $69.46 | 1 |
| VA | $70.18–$82.71 | 2 |
| VI | $73.21 | 1 |
| VT | $69.23 | 1 |
| WA | $73.96–$82.96 | 2 |
| WI | $66.53 | 1 |
| WV | $69.64 | 1 |
| WY | $71.16 | 1 |
How the 59020 rate is calculated
Each of 59020’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 · 59020
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.64
0.64 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.35
1.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.19
0.19 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.1800
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$72.81
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Alabama inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
6,628
- Code
- 59020
- Physician work
- 0.64
- Practice expense
- 1.35
- Malpractice
- 0.19
GPCI2026.csv
4
- Locality
- Alabama
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.875
- Malpractice
- 0.566
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.64 | × 1.000 | 0.6400 |
| Practice expense | 1.35 | × 0.875 | 1.1813 |
| Malpractice | 0.19 | × 0.566 | 0.1075 |
| Total RVUs | 1.9288 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Alabama$64.42
Office: (0.64 × 1 + 1.35 × 0.875 + 0.19 × 0.566) × $33.4009 = $64.42
Payment rules and modifiers for 59020
The CMS indicators that decide how 59020 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 59020
Fetal stress test, contraction-induced monitoring
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| 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 | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
59020 without 26 · national office
$72.81
Fetal stress test, contraction-induced monitoring
59020-26 · Professional component
$36.74
Pays only the interpretation and report.
How 59020 has changed in Alabama
59020 · Office / nonfacility
$64.42
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $3.46 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $60.96 to $64.42 (5.7%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$60.96changed to$64.42
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.66 changed to 0.64
- Practice expense RVU 1.29 changed to 1.35
- Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.19
- Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.875
- Malpractice GPCI 0.575 changed to 0.566
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$63.21changed to$60.96
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.29
- Malpractice RVU 0.19 changed to 0.18
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$62.18changed to$63.21
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$64.67changed to$62.18
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.26 changed to 1.30
- Practice expense GPCI 0.878 changed to 0.869
- Malpractice GPCI 0.748 changed to 0.575
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$66.69changed to$64.67
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.23 changed to 1.26
- Practice expense GPCI 0.888 changed to 0.878
- Malpractice GPCI 0.921 changed to 0.748
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$66.60changed to$66.69
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.19
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$65.69changed to$66.60
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.17 changed to 1.23
- Practice expense GPCI 0.889 changed to 0.888
- Malpractice GPCI 0.707 changed to 0.921
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$64.15changed to$65.69
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17
- Practice expense GPCI 0.890 changed to 0.889
- Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.707
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$65.04changed to$64.15
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 1.20 changed to 1.17
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
April 1, 2018
RVU18B
No ratechanged to$65.04
Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D, RVU14A, RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D, RVU17A, RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D, RVU18AR1.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $64.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $64.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $64.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $64.42 | Not available in this setting | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $60.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $60.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $60.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $60.96 | Not available in this setting | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $63.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $63.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $63.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $63.21 | Not available in this setting | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $62.18 | Not available in this setting | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $64.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $64.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $64.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $64.67 | Not available in this setting | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $66.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $66.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $66.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $66.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $66.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $66.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $66.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $66.60 | Not available in this setting | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $65.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $65.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $65.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $65.69 | Not available in this setting | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $64.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $64.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $64.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $64.15 | Not available in this setting | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $65.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $65.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $65.04 | Not available in this setting | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Rate data unavailable | Not available in this setting | RVU13AR |
Where the Alabama rate applies
Alabama is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 595 cities and communities in Alabama. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abanda
- Abbeville
- Adamsville
- Addison
- Akron
- Alabaster
- Albertville
- Alexander City
59020 billing questions
How does this differ from 59025?
Code 59020 is for assessing the fetal heart rate response to uterine contractions. Code 59025 is a non-stress test, which monitors fetal heart rate without contraction stress.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Use modifier 26 for the professional interpretation or TC for the technical service. Billing without either modifier represents the global service.
What documentation supports reporting 59020?
Document the indication, the contraction activity evaluated, the fetal heart rate response, and the interpretation. The record should support that a contraction stress test was performed rather than a non-stress test.
Should modifier 50 be appended?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this single fetal test.
What care is included in the global service?
The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. It does not create a multi-day global package.
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
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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