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

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 Atlanta, GA, Medicare pays $13.85 for 93018 in the office and $13.85 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$13.85Office (non-facility)
$13.85Hospital or facility
+1.2%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 Atlanta, GA
  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 Atlanta, GA 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. Atlanta, GA pays $13.85. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

93018 in Atlanta, GA vs other payment areas
  1. Atlanta, GA · this page$13.85
  2. Rest of Georgia · Georgia$13.36−$0.49
  3. Los Angeles, CA · California$14.65+$0.80
  4. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$14.91+$1.06
  5. Miami, FL · Florida$14.36+$0.51
  6. Chicago, IL · Illinois$14.21+$0.36
  7. Manhattan, NY · New York$15.11+$1.26

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

Every other payment area

93018 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlaskaAlaska$18.63$18.63
AlabamaAlabama$13.09$13.09
ArkansasArkansas$13.01$13.01
ArizonaArizona$13.53$13.53
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$14.10$14.10
Chico, CACalifornia$14.06$14.06
El Centro, CACalifornia$14.06$14.06
Fresno, CACalifornia$14.06$14.06

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 Atlanta, GA 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

44

Locality
Atlanta, GA
Physician work
1.003
Practice expense
1.016
Malpractice
1.201
Office calculation for 93018 in Atlanta, GA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.29× 1.0030.2909
Practice expense0.11× 1.0160.1118
Malpractice0.01× 1.2010.0120
Total RVUs0.4146
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Atlanta, GA$13.85

Office: (0.29 × 1.003 + 0.11 × 1.016 + 0.01 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $13.85

Facility: (0.29 × 1.003 + 0.11 × 1.016 + 0.01 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $13.85

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 Atlanta, GA

93018 · Office / nonfacility

$13.85

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.23 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $13.62 to $13.85 (1.7%).

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

    $13.62changed to$13.85

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.003
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.128 changed to 1.201

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $13.68changed to$13.62

    • 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

    $13.46changed to$13.68

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $13.89changed to$13.46

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.998 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.128
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $14.49changed to$13.89

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.904 changed to 1.016

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $14.61changed to$14.49

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $15.15changed to$14.61

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.996 changed to 0.904

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $15.16changed to$15.15

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.998
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.088 changed to 0.996

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $15.14changed to$15.16

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. April 1, 2018

    RVU18B

    No ratechanged to$15.14

    Held through RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. 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.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$13.85$13.85RVU26D
2026-07-01$13.85$13.85RVU26C
2026-04-01$13.85$13.85RVU26B
2026-01-01$13.85$13.85RVU26A
2025-10-01$13.62$13.62RVU25D
2025-07-01$13.62$13.62RVU25C
2025-04-01$13.62$13.62RVU25B
2025-01-01$13.62$13.62RVU25A
2024-10-01$13.68$13.68RVU24D
2024-07-01$13.68$13.68RVU24C
2024-04-01$13.68$13.68RVU24B
2024-03-09$13.68$13.68RVU24AR
2024-01-01$13.46$13.46RVU24A
2023-10-01$13.89$13.89RVU23D
2023-07-01$13.89$13.89RVU23C
2023-04-01$13.89$13.89RVU23B
2023-01-01$13.89$13.89RVU23A
2022-10-01$14.49$14.49RVU22D
2022-07-01$14.49$14.49RVU22C
2022-04-01$14.49$14.49RVU22B
2022-01-01$14.49$14.49RVU22A
2021-10-01$14.61$14.61RVU21D
2021-07-01$14.61$14.61RVU21C
2021-04-01$14.61$14.61RVU21B
2021-01-01$14.61$14.61RVU21A
2020-10-01$15.15$15.15RVU20D
2020-07-01$15.15$15.15RVU20C
2020-04-01$15.15$15.15RVU20B
2020-01-01$15.15$15.15RVU20A
2019-10-01$15.16$15.16RVU19D
2019-07-01$15.16$15.16RVU19C
2019-04-01$15.16$15.16RVU19B
2019-01-01$15.16$15.16RVU19A
2018-10-01$15.14$15.14RVU18D
2018-07-01$15.14$15.14RVU18C
2018-04-01$15.14$15.14RVU18B
2018-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU18AR1
2017-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17D
2017-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17C
2017-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17B
2017-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU17A
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 Atlanta, GA rate applies

Atlanta, GA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 114 cities and communities in Georgia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Atlanta
  • Acworth
  • Alpharetta
  • 93018 in Auburn · multiple payment areas
  • Austell
  • Avondale Estates
  • Ball Ground
  • Belvedere Park

Browse all communities in Georgia

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 Atlanta, GAGPCI2026.csv, line 44 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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