CPT code 93018: Stress test interpretation, interpretation and report only2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Fort Worth, TX

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 Fort Worth, TX, Medicare pays $13.69 for 93018 in the office and $13.69 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$13.69Office (non-facility)
$13.69Hospital or facility
+0.0%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 Fort Worth, TX
  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 Fort Worth, TX 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. Fort Worth, TX pays $13.69. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

93018 in Fort Worth, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Fort Worth, TX · this page$13.69
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$13.89+$0.20
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$13.34−$0.35
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$13.67−$0.02
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$13.72+$0.03
  6. Galveston, TX · Texas$13.69
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$13.87+$0.18

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

Every other payment area

93018 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$13.47$13.47
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$14.65$14.65
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$14.91$14.91
Miami, FLFlorida$14.36$14.36
Chicago, ILIllinois$14.21$14.21
Manhattan, NYNew York$15.11$15.11
AlaskaAlaska$18.63$18.63
AlabamaAlabama$13.09$13.09

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 Fort Worth, TX 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

100

Locality
Fort Worth, TX
Physician work
1.009
Practice expense
0.986
Malpractice
0.871
Office calculation for 93018 in Fort Worth, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.29× 1.0090.2926
Practice expense0.11× 0.9860.1085
Malpractice0.01× 0.8710.0087
Total RVUs0.4098
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Fort Worth, TX$13.69

Office: (0.29 × 1.009 + 0.11 × 0.986 + 0.01 × 0.871) × $33.4009 = $13.69

Facility: (0.29 × 1.009 + 0.11 × 0.986 + 0.01 × 0.871) × $33.4009 = $13.69

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 Fort Worth, TX

93018 · Office / nonfacility

$13.69

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.04 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $13.65 to $13.69 (0.3%).

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

    $13.65changed to$13.69

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.30 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.009
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.998 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.871

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $13.72changed to$13.65

    • 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

    $13.49changed to$13.72

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $13.92changed to$13.49

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Work GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.996 changed to 0.998
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.721 changed to 0.902
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $14.52changed to$13.92

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.013
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.996
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.539 changed to 0.721

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $14.64changed to$14.52

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $15.11changed to$14.64

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Work GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.016
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.643 changed to 0.539

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $15.07changed to$15.11

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work GPCI 1.007 changed to 1.011
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.747 changed to 0.643

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $15.05changed to$15.07

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $15.02changed to$15.05

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Work GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.007
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.986
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.760 changed to 0.747

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $14.63changed to$15.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Work GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.006
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.991
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.772 changed to 0.760

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $14.69changed to$14.63

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $14.61changed to$14.69

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $14.59changed to$14.61

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.005
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.987 changed to 0.995
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.799 changed to 0.772

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $14.15changed to$14.59

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10
    • Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.979 changed to 0.987
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.799

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $14.15

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$13.69$13.69RVU26D
2026-07-01$13.69$13.69RVU26C
2026-04-01$13.69$13.69RVU26B
2026-01-01$13.69$13.69RVU26A
2025-10-01$13.65$13.65RVU25D
2025-07-01$13.65$13.65RVU25C
2025-04-01$13.65$13.65RVU25B
2025-01-01$13.65$13.65RVU25A
2024-10-01$13.72$13.72RVU24D
2024-07-01$13.72$13.72RVU24C
2024-04-01$13.72$13.72RVU24B
2024-03-09$13.72$13.72RVU24AR
2024-01-01$13.49$13.49RVU24A
2023-10-01$13.92$13.92RVU23D
2023-07-01$13.92$13.92RVU23C
2023-04-01$13.92$13.92RVU23B
2023-01-01$13.92$13.92RVU23A
2022-10-01$14.52$14.52RVU22D
2022-07-01$14.52$14.52RVU22C
2022-04-01$14.52$14.52RVU22B
2022-01-01$14.52$14.52RVU22A
2021-10-01$14.64$14.64RVU21D
2021-07-01$14.64$14.64RVU21C
2021-04-01$14.64$14.64RVU21B
2021-01-01$14.64$14.64RVU21A
2020-10-01$15.11$15.11RVU20D
2020-07-01$15.11$15.11RVU20C
2020-04-01$15.11$15.11RVU20B
2020-01-01$15.11$15.11RVU20A
2019-10-01$15.07$15.07RVU19D
2019-07-01$15.07$15.07RVU19C
2019-04-01$15.07$15.07RVU19B
2019-01-01$15.07$15.07RVU19A
2018-10-01$15.05$15.05RVU18D
2018-07-01$15.05$15.05RVU18C
2018-04-01$15.05$15.05RVU18B
2018-01-01$15.05$15.05RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$15.02$15.02RVU17D
2017-07-01$15.02$15.02RVU17C
2017-04-01$15.02$15.02RVU17B
2017-01-01$15.02$15.02RVU17A
2016-10-01$14.63$14.63RVU16D
2016-07-01$14.63$14.63RVU16C
2016-04-01$14.63$14.63RVU16B
2016-01-01$14.63$14.63RVU16A
2015-10-01$14.69$14.69RVU15D
2015-07-01$14.69$14.69RVU15C
2015-04-01$14.61$14.61RVU15B
2015-01-01$14.61$14.61RVU15A
2014-10-01$14.59$14.59RVU14D
2014-07-01$14.59$14.59RVU14C
2014-04-01$14.59$14.59RVU14B
2014-01-01$14.59$14.59RVU14A
2013-10-01$14.15$14.15RVU13D
2013-07-01$14.15$14.15RVU13C
2013-04-01$14.15$14.15RVU13B
2013-01-01$14.15$14.15RVU13AR

Price 93018 for an earlier date of service

Where the Fort Worth, TX rate applies

Fort Worth, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 45 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

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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 Fort Worth, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 100 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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