CPT code 94617: Exercise bronchospasm test, with ECG2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in California
Reports exercise testing with ECG and spirometry to evaluate suspected exercise-induced bronchospasm, such as airway narrowing triggered by exertion.
Medicare pays $99.59–$125.63 for 94617 in the office in California, from Chico, CA to San Benito County, CA. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 94617 covers
This test evaluates whether exertion provokes bronchospasm by comparing pulmonary function before and after exercise, with ECG recording during the test. It is commonly used when a patient reports wheezing, cough, chest tightness, or breathlessness during or after activity and the clinician needs objective evidence of exercise-related airflow changes. A pulmonologist, allergist, or other qualified clinician may supervise and interpret the test, with trained staff assisting in an office or facility setting.
Report 94617 when the exercise bronchospasm evaluation includes ECG recording; use the no-ECG sibling when ECG is not part of the test. Documentation should identify the exertional symptoms or diagnostic question, exercise performed, pulmonary function findings before and after exertion, ECG recording, and the clinician’s interpretation. CMS recognizes professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or neither 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 94617 pays more and less in California
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
29 payment localities
$99.59 to $125.63
29 of 29 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | $99.74 | Unavailable |
| Chico, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| El Centro, CA | $99.60 | Unavailable |
| Fresno, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Hanford, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Los Angeles, CA | $106.32 | Unavailable |
| Madera, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Marin County, CA | $122.97 | Unavailable |
| Merced, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Modesto, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Napa, CA | $115.95 | Unavailable |
| Oxnard, CA | $105.90 | Unavailable |
| Redding, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Rest of California | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Riverside, CA | $100.04 | Unavailable |
| Sacramento, CA | $104.66 | Unavailable |
| Salinas, CA | $104.27 | Unavailable |
| San Benito County, CA | $125.63 | Unavailable |
| San Diego, CA | $106.81 | Unavailable |
| San Francisco, CA | $122.93 | Unavailable |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $102.57 | Unavailable |
| Santa Clara County, CA | $125.44 | Unavailable |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $107.91 | Unavailable |
| Santa Maria, CA | $104.68 | Unavailable |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $109.01 | Unavailable |
| Stockton, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Vallejo, CA | $115.88 | Unavailable |
| Visalia, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
| Yuba City, CA | $99.59 | Unavailable |
How the 94617 rate is calculated
Each of 94617’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 · 94617
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.68
0.68 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense2.07
2.07 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.04
0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.7900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$93.19
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 94617
The CMS indicators that decide how 94617 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 94617
Exercise bronchospasm test, with ECG
| 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 | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
94617 without 26 · national office
$93.19
Exercise bronchospasm test, with ECG
94617-26 · Professional component
$31.40
Pays only the interpretation and report.
94617 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 94619Exercise challengeWithout ECG recording
- Both evaluate exercise-related bronchospasm. Use 94617 when ECG recording is part of the test and 94619 when it is not.
- 94618Pulmonary stress testSimple exercise assessment
- 94618 is pulmonary stress testing, commonly used to assess exercise response such as oxygenation or exercise capacity; 94617 tests for exercise-provoked bronchospasm and includes ECG recording.
- 94621Exercise testCardiopulmonary gas analysis
- 94621 is cardiopulmonary exercise testing for a broader assessment of exercise physiology. Use 94617 when the question is specifically whether exercise provokes bronchospasm.
94617 billing questions
When should 94617 be chosen over 94619?
Choose 94617 when the exercise bronchospasm test includes ECG recording. Code 94619 is the corresponding option when the test is performed without ECG.
Can the professional and technical services be billed separately?
Yes. Modifier 26 identifies the professional interpretation, and modifier TC identifies the technical service, including equipment and staff. Without either modifier, the claim represents the global service.
Is ECG recording included in this test?
ECG recording is part of the distinction between 94617 and its no-ECG sibling, 94619. The documentation should support that ECG was included in the exercise evaluation.
What documentation supports reporting 94617?
Document the reason for evaluating exertional symptoms, the exercise performed, pulmonary function results before and after exercise, ECG recording, and the interpreting clinician’s findings.
How does 94617 differ from pulmonary stress testing?
94617 evaluates exercise-provoked bronchospasm and includes ECG recording. Code 94618 is used for pulmonary stress testing focused on exercise response rather than this bronchospasm test.
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.
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