The CMS refresh workflow keeps calculator data, imported counts, conversion factors, and public assumptions aligned before a new data year is used.
Source Checks
| Area |
Source |
Use |
| CPT/HCPCS |
Imported CMS records |
One code at a time or in bulk |
| Setting |
CPT typical setting field |
Facility and non-facility are distinct |
| Locality |
CMS GPCI file and county mapping |
Use the selected locality only |
| Conversion factor |
2026 CMS release assumptions |
QPP and non-QPP differ |
Formula Checks
| Area |
Rule |
| Relative value units |
Keep Work, PE, and MP separate |
| Payment estimate |
Apply locality and conversion factor after RVU lookup |
| Boundary |
Validate payer, coding, and contract context separately |
Release Checklist
| Check |
Expectation |
| Source file |
CMS record is the reference point |
| Locality |
County coverage and locality page agree |
| Payment |
Estimate is checked against fixed assumptions |
| Follow-up |
Move into the correct calculator before relying on the number |
Related Pages