CPT code 93018: Stress test interpretation, interpretation and report only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Montana
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.
In Montana, Medicare pays $13.69 for 93018 in the office and $13.69 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 Montana 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. Montana pays $13.69. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Montana · this page$13.69
- Los Angeles, CA · California$14.65+$0.96
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$14.91+$1.22
- Miami, FL · Florida$14.36+$0.67
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$14.21+$0.52
- Manhattan, NY · New York$15.11+$1.42
- Alaska · Alaska$18.63+$4.94
Other areas in Montana first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $14.06 | $14.06 |
| 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 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $14.06 | $14.06 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $14.06 | $14.06 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $14.17 | $14.17 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $14.49 | $14.49 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $14.42 | $14.42 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $14.55 | $14.55 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $15.94 | $15.94 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $15.93 | $15.93 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $16.23 | $16.23 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $16.18 | $16.18 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $14.21 | $14.21 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $14.53 | $14.53 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $14.42 | $14.42 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $14.67 | $14.67 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $14.06 | $14.06 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $15.29 | $15.29 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $14.06 | $14.06 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $14.06 | $14.06 |
| ColoradoColorado | $13.97 | $13.97 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $14.24 | $14.24 |
| DelawareDelaware | $13.66 | $13.66 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $14.01 | $14.01 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $13.70 | $13.70 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $13.85 | $13.85 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $13.36 | $13.36 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $14.06 | $14.06 |
| IowaIowa | $13.18 | $13.18 |
| IdahoIdaho | $13.22 | $13.22 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $13.74 | $13.74 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $13.56 | $13.56 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $14.12 | $14.12 |
| IndianaIndiana | $13.25 | $13.25 |
| KansasKansas | $13.18 | $13.18 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $13.26 | $13.26 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $13.52 | $13.52 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $13.26 | $13.26 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $14.77 | $14.77 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $13.98 | $13.98 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $14.20 | $14.20 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $13.81 | $13.81 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $13.27 | $13.27 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $13.54 | $13.54 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $13.79 | $13.79 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $13.42 | $13.42 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $13.57 | $13.57 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $13.46 | $13.46 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $13.52 | $13.52 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $13.18 | $13.18 |
| MississippiMississippi | $13.10 | $13.10 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $13.33 | $13.33 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $13.50 | $13.50 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $13.20 | $13.20 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $13.80 | $13.80 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $14.92 | $14.92 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $14.45 | $14.45 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $13.46 | $13.46 |
| NevadaNevada | $13.64 | $13.64 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $15.29 | $15.29 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $14.55 | $14.55 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $15.13 | $15.13 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| OhioOhio | $13.38 | $13.38 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $13.23 | $13.23 |
| Portland, OROregon | $14.17 | $14.17 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $13.58 | $13.58 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $14.08 | $14.08 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $13.37 | $13.37 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $13.73 | $13.73 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $13.96 | $13.96 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $13.37 | $13.37 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $13.47 | $13.47 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $13.21 | $13.21 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $13.89 | $13.89 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $13.34 | $13.34 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $13.67 | $13.67 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $13.72 | $13.72 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $13.69 | $13.69 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $13.69 | $13.69 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $13.87 | $13.87 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $13.47 | $13.47 |
| UtahUtah | $13.44 | $13.44 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $13.53 | $13.53 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $13.73 | $13.73 |
| VermontVermont | $13.49 | $13.49 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $13.94 | $13.94 |
| King County, WAWashington | $14.95 | $14.95 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $13.31 | $13.31 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $13.36 | $13.36 |
| WyomingWyoming | $13.61 | $13.61 |
93018 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.
$13.01
$18.63
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 | $18.63 | 1 |
| AL | $13.09 | 1 |
| AR | $13.01 | 1 |
| AZ | $13.53 | 1 |
| CA | $14.06–$16.23 | 29 |
| CO | $13.97 | 1 |
| CT | $14.24 | 1 |
| DC | $14.91 | 1 |
| DE | $13.66 | 1 |
| FL | $13.70–$14.36 | 3 |
| GA | $13.36–$13.85 | 2 |
| GU | $14.06 | 1 |
| HI | $14.06 | 1 |
| IA | $13.18 | 1 |
| ID | $13.22 | 1 |
| IL | $13.56–$14.21 | 4 |
| IN | $13.25 | 1 |
| KS | $13.18 | 1 |
| KY | $13.26 | 1 |
| LA | $13.26–$13.52 | 2 |
| MA | $13.98–$14.77 | 2 |
| MD | $13.81–$14.91 | 3 |
| ME | $13.27–$13.54 | 2 |
| MI | $13.42–$13.79 | 2 |
| MN | $13.57 | 1 |
| MO | $13.18–$13.52 | 3 |
| MS | $13.10 | 1 |
| MT | $13.69 | 1 |
| NC | $13.33 | 1 |
| ND | $13.50 | 1 |
| NE | $13.20 | 1 |
| NH | $13.80 | 1 |
| NJ | $14.45–$14.92 | 2 |
| NM | $13.46 | 1 |
| NV | $13.64 | 1 |
| NY | $13.41–$15.29 | 5 |
| OH | $13.38 | 1 |
| OK | $13.23 | 1 |
| OR | $13.58–$14.17 | 2 |
| PA | $13.37–$14.08 | 2 |
| PR | $13.73 | 1 |
| RI | $13.96 | 1 |
| SC | $13.37 | 1 |
| SD | $13.47 | 1 |
| TN | $13.21 | 1 |
| TX | $13.34–$13.89 | 8 |
| UT | $13.44 | 1 |
| VA | $13.53–$14.91 | 2 |
| VI | $13.73 | 1 |
| VT | $13.49 | 1 |
| WA | $13.94–$14.95 | 2 |
| WI | $13.31 | 1 |
| WV | $13.36 | 1 |
| WY | $13.61 | 1 |
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
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 Montana 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
71
- Locality
- Montana
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.998
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.29 | × 1.000 | 0.2900 |
| Practice expense | 0.11 | × 1.000 | 0.1100 |
| Malpractice | 0.01 | × 0.998 | 0.0100 |
| Total RVUs | 0.4100 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Montana$13.69
Office: (0.29 × 1 + 0.11 × 1 + 0.01 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $13.69
Facility: (0.29 × 1 + 0.11 × 1 + 0.01 × 0.998) × $33.4009 = $13.69
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| 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 | 2 | Professional component only. |
How 93018 has changed in Montana
93018 · Office / nonfacility
$13.69
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.11 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $13.58 to $13.69 (0.8%).
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
$13.58changed to$13.69
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
- Malpractice GPCI 0.978 changed to 0.998
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$13.64changed to$13.58
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$13.42changed to$13.64
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$13.89changed to$13.42
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$14.53changed to$13.89
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
- Malpractice GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.978
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$14.65changed to$14.53
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$15.27changed to$14.65
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Malpractice GPCI 1.304 changed to 0.977
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$15.36changed to$15.27
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Malpractice GPCI 1.631 changed to 1.304
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$15.35changed to$15.36
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$15.23changed to$15.35
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 1.429 changed to 1.631
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$14.76changed to$15.23
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
- Malpractice GPCI 1.226 changed to 1.429
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$14.81changed to$14.76
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$14.74changed to$14.81
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$14.75changed to$14.74
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Malpractice GPCI 1.165 changed to 1.226
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$14.32changed to$14.75
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
- Malpractice GPCI 1.103 changed to 1.165
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $14.32
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $13.69 | $13.69 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $13.69 | $13.69 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $13.69 | $13.69 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $13.69 | $13.69 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $13.58 | $13.58 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $13.58 | $13.58 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $13.58 | $13.58 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $13.58 | $13.58 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $13.64 | $13.64 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $13.64 | $13.64 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $13.64 | $13.64 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $13.64 | $13.64 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $13.42 | $13.42 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $13.89 | $13.89 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $13.89 | $13.89 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $13.89 | $13.89 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $13.89 | $13.89 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $14.53 | $14.53 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $14.53 | $14.53 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $14.53 | $14.53 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $14.53 | $14.53 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $14.65 | $14.65 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $14.65 | $14.65 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $14.65 | $14.65 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $14.65 | $14.65 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $15.27 | $15.27 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $15.27 | $15.27 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $15.27 | $15.27 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $15.27 | $15.27 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $15.36 | $15.36 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $15.36 | $15.36 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $15.36 | $15.36 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $15.36 | $15.36 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $15.35 | $15.35 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $15.35 | $15.35 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $15.35 | $15.35 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $15.35 | $15.35 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $15.23 | $15.23 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $15.23 | $15.23 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $15.23 | $15.23 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $15.23 | $15.23 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $14.76 | $14.76 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $14.76 | $14.76 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $14.76 | $14.76 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $14.76 | $14.76 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $14.81 | $14.81 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $14.81 | $14.81 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $14.74 | $14.74 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $14.74 | $14.74 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $14.75 | $14.75 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $14.75 | $14.75 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $14.75 | $14.75 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $14.75 | $14.75 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $14.32 | $14.32 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $14.32 | $14.32 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $14.32 | $14.32 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $14.32 | $14.32 | RVU13AR |
Where the Montana rate applies
Montana is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 497 cities and communities in Montana. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Absarokee
- Acton
- Alberton
- Alder
- Alzada
- Amsterdam
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Antelope
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
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