CPT® 93015,93016,93017,93018

Please clarify me: We had discussion on CPT's 93015,93016,93017,93018. Does CPT® 93015 is inclusive of all three elements of the other CPT’s: Physician Supervision (93016), tracing (93017) Interpretation and report (93018).

But CPT® 93015 does not include tracing. So my question when physician perform supervision, interpretation and report of Echocardiogram whether 93015 is correct or 93016 and 93018 correct.

Please explain in detail along with references.

re: CPT® 93015,93016,93017,93018

These coding guidelines are from WPS-Medicare Carrier for Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. I hope this helps. I don't know what place of service you are reporting.
LCD ID Number
L28563

LCD Title
Cardiovascular Stress Testing

Coding Guidelines



1. When the test is performed in a hospital inpatient or outpatient setting:

a. The physician may bill only for the professional component with the use of the CPT

codes 93016 and 93018.

b. The drug (if used) is not separately billable by the physician.

c. The IV administration of the drug (CPT® codes 90765, 90768, 90772, 90774) is

considered included in the stress test (CPT® codes 93015, 93016, 93018).



2. When the test is performed in a physician's office:

a. The total may be billed with the use of 93015.

b. The components of the service may be billed separately (93016-93018) when the total is

not performed.

c. The drug (if used) may be separately billed with the use of one of the HCPCS codes

(J0152, J1245, J1250, J0395, J2785). The patient's record must include indications for

medical necessity.



3. When billing CPT® codes 93015, 93016, or 93018, the referring/ordering physician's name and

NPI number must be listed in Box 17 and 17B. For EMC, this information is reported in Record

FB1-10, 11, 12, and the NPI in FB1-13. The LIPP number of the performing physician must be

listed in Box 24K. For EMC, report the LIPP number of the performing physician in Record FA0-

23.