CPT code 91030: Acid challenge, provocative esophageal acid test2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $162.66 for 91030 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $143.34–$223.18.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 91030 covers

This test introduces acid into the esophagus through a catheter while the clinician observes whether the patient’s characteristic symptoms are reproduced. It may be used in evaluating noncardiac chest pain or suspected acid-related esophageal symptoms. A gastroenterologist or another clinician experienced in esophageal testing typically performs the procedure; trained staff may assist with the test, and a physician interprets the findings.

Report 91030 when the service is an esophageal acid perfusion challenge, rather than pressure measurement or monitoring of naturally occurring reflux. Documentation should support the clinical indication, the acid challenge performed, the patient’s symptom response, and the interpretation. The code has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. Bill the global service without a component modifier, or report modifier 26 for interpretation or TC for equipment and staff. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this single-organ test. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery 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.

Where 91030 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

91030 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 91030 rate is calculated

Each of 91030’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.

Payment rules and modifiers for 91030

The CMS indicators that decide how 91030 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

91030 compared with similar codes

How to choose

91010Esophageal manometryStandard pressure study

Choose 91030 for an acid perfusion challenge intended to reproduce symptoms. Choose 91010 when the service measures esophageal motility.

91034Reflux monitoringNasal catheter pH test

91030 provokes a response by introducing acid. 91034 monitors esophageal pH over time to assess naturally occurring acid exposure.

91035Reflux testingMucosa-attached telemetry electrode

91030 is an acid challenge; 91035 uses a wireless capsule to monitor esophageal pH over time.

Codes related to 91030

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

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

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates