CPT code 93018: Stress test interpretation, interpretation and report only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Redding, CA

Physician interpretation and written report of an exercise or pharmacologic cardiovascular stress test, reported when the billing physician provides the reading rather than the complete test.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality883.4K Medicare services in 2024

In Redding, CA, Medicare pays $14.06 for 93018 in the office and $14.06 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$14.06Office (non-facility)
$14.06Hospital or facility
+2.7%vs the national office rate ($13.69)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 93018 nationwide

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

We’ll open 93018 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Redding, CA
  2. What 93018 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 93018 covers

This service involves reviewing ECG tracings, heart rate and blood pressure responses, symptoms, arrhythmias, and ST-segment changes recorded during a treadmill, bicycle, or pharmacologic stress test, then issuing a signed report. The report addresses ischemic findings and a conclusion, along with exercise capacity and the reason for stopping when exercise is used. Cardiologists commonly interpret stress tests performed in hospital outpatient departments or other facilities. One physician may supervise the test while a different physician interprets it.

CMS designates 93018 as a professional-component-only code for the interpretation and report. When separately billed, the equipment, staff, and tracing are represented by 93017, rather than 93018. Because 93018 already identifies the professional service, modifier 26 is not appended. A physician who both supervises and interprets a facility test may report 93016 with 93018. When one billing entity provides supervision, tracing, and interpretation, report the complete stress test with 93015 instead. Documentation should include the interpreting physician's signed findings and conclusion.

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 Redding, CA compares for 93018

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 93018 runs from $13.01 in Arkansas to $18.63 in Alaska. Redding, CA pays $14.06. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

93018 in Redding, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Redding, CA · this page$14.06
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$14.10+$0.04
  3. Chico, CA · California$14.06
  4. El Centro, CA · California$14.06
  5. Fresno, CA · California$14.06
  6. Hanford, CA · California$14.06
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$14.65+$0.59

Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

93018 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$14.06$14.06
Merced, CACalifornia$14.06$14.06
Modesto, CACalifornia$14.06$14.06
Napa, CACalifornia$15.31$15.31
Oxnard, CACalifornia$14.51$14.51
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$14.06$14.06
Riverside, CACalifornia$14.17$14.17
Sacramento, CACalifornia$14.49$14.49

93018 rates by state

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

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Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$13.01

$18.63

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
93018 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$18.631
AL$13.091
AR$13.011
AZ$13.531
CA$14.06–$16.2329
CO$13.971
CT$14.241
DC$14.911
DE$13.661
FL$13.70–$14.363
GA$13.36–$13.852
GU$14.061
HI$14.061
IA$13.181
ID$13.221
IL$13.56–$14.214
IN$13.251
KS$13.181
KY$13.261
LA$13.26–$13.522
MA$13.98–$14.772
MD$13.81–$14.913
ME$13.27–$13.542
MI$13.42–$13.792
MN$13.571
MO$13.18–$13.523
MS$13.101
MT$13.691
NC$13.331
ND$13.501
NE$13.201
NH$13.801
NJ$14.45–$14.922
NM$13.461
NV$13.641
NY$13.41–$15.295
OH$13.381
OK$13.231
OR$13.58–$14.172
PA$13.37–$14.082
PR$13.731
RI$13.961
SC$13.371
SD$13.471
TN$13.211
TX$13.34–$13.898
UT$13.441
VA$13.53–$14.912
VI$13.731
VT$13.491
WA$13.94–$14.952
WI$13.311
WV$13.361
WY$13.611

See 93018 in every payment locality

How the 93018 rate is calculated

Each of 93018’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 · 93018

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.29

0.29 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.11

0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.4100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$13.69

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Redding, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,939

Code
93018
Physician work
0.29
Practice expense
0.11
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

19

Locality
Redding, CA
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 93018 in Redding, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.29× 1.0170.2949
Practice expense0.11× 1.0960.1206
Malpractice0.01× 0.5360.0054
Total RVUs0.4208
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Redding, CA$14.06

Office: (0.29 × 1.017 + 0.11 × 1.096 + 0.01 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $14.06

Facility: (0.29 × 1.017 + 0.11 × 1.096 + 0.01 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $14.06

Open 93018 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 93018

The CMS indicators that decide how 93018 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 93018

Stress test interpretation, interpretation and report only

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical2Professional component only.

How 93018 has changed in Redding, CA

93018 · Office / nonfacility

$14.06

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.15 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $13.91 to $14.06 (1.1%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

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
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $13.91changed to$14.06

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $13.95changed to$13.91

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $13.72changed to$13.95

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $14.23changed to$13.72

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $14.92changed to$14.23

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $15.05changed to$14.92

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $15.54changed to$15.05

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $15.49changed to$15.54

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $15.47changed to$15.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $15.50changed to$15.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$15.50

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$14.06$14.06RVU26D
2026-07-01$14.06$14.06RVU26C
2026-04-01$14.06$14.06RVU26B
2026-01-01$14.06$14.06RVU26A
2025-10-01$13.91$13.91RVU25D
2025-07-01$13.91$13.91RVU25C
2025-04-01$13.91$13.91RVU25B
2025-01-01$13.91$13.91RVU25A
2024-10-01$13.95$13.95RVU24D
2024-07-01$13.95$13.95RVU24C
2024-04-01$13.95$13.95RVU24B
2024-03-09$13.95$13.95RVU24AR
2024-01-01$13.72$13.72RVU24A
2023-10-01$14.23$14.23RVU23D
2023-07-01$14.23$14.23RVU23C
2023-04-01$14.23$14.23RVU23B
2023-01-01$14.23$14.23RVU23A
2022-10-01$14.92$14.92RVU22D
2022-07-01$14.92$14.92RVU22C
2022-04-01$14.92$14.92RVU22B
2022-01-01$14.92$14.92RVU22A
2021-10-01$15.05$15.05RVU21D
2021-07-01$15.05$15.05RVU21C
2021-04-01$15.05$15.05RVU21B
2021-01-01$15.05$15.05RVU21A
2020-10-01$15.54$15.54RVU20D
2020-07-01$15.54$15.54RVU20C
2020-04-01$15.54$15.54RVU20B
2020-01-01$15.54$15.54RVU20A
2019-10-01$15.49$15.49RVU19D
2019-07-01$15.49$15.49RVU19C
2019-04-01$15.49$15.49RVU19B
2019-01-01$15.49$15.49RVU19A
2018-10-01$15.47$15.47RVU18D
2018-07-01$15.47$15.47RVU18C
2018-04-01$15.47$15.47RVU18B
2018-01-01$15.47$15.47RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$15.50$15.50RVU17D
2017-07-01$15.50$15.50RVU17C
2017-04-01$15.50$15.50RVU17B
2017-01-01$15.50$15.50RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 93018 for an earlier date of service

Where the Redding, CA rate applies

Redding, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 32 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Redding
  • Anderson
  • Bella Vista
  • Big Bend
  • Burney
  • Cassel
  • Castella
  • Centerville

Browse all communities in California

93018 billing questions

Should modifier 26 be added to this code?

No. The code itself identifies the interpretation and report, so modifier 26 is not used.

When is the global stress test code used instead of this one?

Report 93015 when the billing entity provides supervision, tracing, and interpretation, often in an office that supplies the equipment. Report 93018 when billing only for the interpretation and report.

Can the same physician bill supervision and interpretation separately?

Yes. For a facility test, a physician who both supervises and interprets it may report 93016 and 93018, while the facility provides the tracing.

Is this reported with nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging?

It may be reported alongside myocardial perfusion imaging when the stress ECG interpretation is performed and documented separately. Interpretation of the perfusion images is a distinct service.

Is it separately reportable with a stress echocardiogram?

It depends on the echocardiography code and services provided. With 93350, the stress ECG interpretation may be reported separately; 93351 includes the stress test supervision, ECG monitoring, interpretation, and report.

What documentation supports this code?

A signed report should reflect the physician's review of the tracings and hemodynamic data, relevant ST changes or arrhythmias, exercise tolerance when applicable, and a clinical conclusion.

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
RVUs for 93018PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,939 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Redding, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 19 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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