CPT code 94070: Wheezing evaluation, bronchial challenge testing2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $69.81 for 94070 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $62.17–$92.61.

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

What 94070 covers

This test evaluates airway response to a provoking stimulus through repeated spirometric measurements. A pulmonary function laboratory may administer an inhaled agent such as methacholine, or use another stimulus such as cold air or an allergen, while recording changes in airflow. Pulmonologists and allergists commonly order it when asthma or airway hyperreactivity is suspected but routine spirometry has not established the diagnosis. Testing is typically performed by trained pulmonary function staff, with a qualified professional interpreting the results.

Report 94070 for the provocation evaluation and its serial spirometry, rather than for routine spirometry alone or a bronchodilator response test. Documentation should identify the stimulus, show the baseline and subsequent measurements, and support the interpretation of the airway response. The repeated spirometric determinations performed as part of the challenge are included in this service. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation only, modifier TC for equipment and staff only, or no component modifier for the global service.

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 94070 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

94070 rates by state

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

How the 94070 rate is calculated

Each of 94070’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 94070

The CMS indicators that decide how 94070 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

94070 compared with similar codes

How to choose

94010SpirometryNo post-bronchodilator comparison

94010 reports routine spirometry. Use 94070 when a provoking stimulus is administered and serial measurements assess airway response.

94060Bronchodilator spirometryPre- and post-bronchodilator testing

94060 evaluates response to a bronchodilator using pre- and post-medication spirometry. 94070 evaluates response to a bronchial provocation stimulus.

94012Infant spirometryWith bronchodilator

94012 is an age-specific spirometry service for a child under 2 years receiving bronchodilator testing; it is not a bronchial provocation evaluation.

Codes related to 94070

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