Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are standardized five-digit identifiers used across healthcare to report medical services and procedures. When a patient receives care, the specific CPT code on the bill identifies the service performed, ensuring accurate processing and reimbursement. CPT Code 93017 represents a distinct part of a common diagnostic test used to assess heart health.
The Medical Procedure Behind the Code
CPT Code 93017 is associated with the cardiovascular stress test, a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that evaluates how the heart functions under physical duress. The primary goal is to monitor the heart’s electrical activity and overall performance when its workload is intentionally increased. This helps physicians identify potential issues like coronary artery disease, which may not be apparent when the patient is at rest.
The test is typically performed using a treadmill or stationary bicycle, gradually increasing the exercise intensity following a standardized protocol. This pushes the heart toward a maximal or submaximal heart rate, indicating its capacity. For patients unable to exercise, a pharmacological stress test may be conducted, administering medications like dobutamine or adenosine to mimic physical exertion.
During the procedure, the patient is connected to an electrocardiograph (EKG) machine via electrodes attached to the chest. Continuous monitoring records the heart’s rhythm and electrical changes in real-time. Technicians regularly check the patient’s blood pressure and observe for symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath to ensure safety and accurately document the physiological response.
What “Tracing Only” Means for Billing
The official description for CPT Code 93017 is “Cardiovascular stress test… tracing only, without interpretation and report.” This code represents the technical component of the stress test, which is the physical process of acquiring the data. It covers the costs and resources needed to perform and record the test, but excludes the physician’s analysis of the results.
This technical component includes the use of sophisticated equipment, such as the treadmill or EKG monitoring system, and accounts for the supplies used, like EKG electrodes, and necessary facility resources. CPT 93017 also covers the time and labor of trained staff, typically a technician or nurse, who set up the patient, administer the test, and continuously monitor the tracing.
The phrase “tracing only” highlights that the billable service is the acquisition and documentation of the raw data. The entity billing this code is charging for the physical act of creating the continuous EKG recording and collecting associated physiological data. Since this code specifically excludes the physician’s interpretation, it is most often used by the facility or clinic that owns the equipment and employs the technical staff.
The Complete Stress Test: Pairing Services
The complete cardiovascular stress test involves three distinct components: the technical work (tracing), physician supervision, and final interpretation of the results. When a single provider performs all three parts, the service is typically billed using the global code, CPT 93015.
In many settings, the service is split into component codes, such as in a hospital where the facility owns the equipment and a separate cardiologist provides medical oversight. CPT 93017 represents the technical aspect and is paired with two other codes to complete the service.
The professional components are billed separately by the physician involved in the patient’s care. CPT 93016 covers the physician’s direct supervision of the test, which includes being immediately available to manage any complications.
The interpretation and report is billed using CPT 93018. This service represents the cognitive work of the physician reviewing the collected EKG tracings, blood pressure readings, and patient symptoms to generate a formal, written report with clinical findings. Therefore, a single stress test often results in a bill from the facility using CPT 93017, and a separate bill from the physician using codes 93016 and 93018.