CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 20604 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Drain/inj joint/bursa w/us — 0.87 work RVU, about $87.18 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 0.87
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 1.63
- PE RVU (facility)
- 0.21
- MP RVU
- 0.11
- Office payment
- $87.18
- Facility payment
- $39.75
How the payment is calculated
Total RVU is work plus practice expense plus malpractice, each adjusted by its GPCI factor, then multiplied by the conversion factor. For 20604 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (0.87 + 1.63 + 0.11) × $33.4009 ≈ $87.18. The same code in a facility setting pays about $39.75 because facility PE RVU (0.21) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 20604 non-facility payment from $77.72 to $112.73 across CMS localities — from Arkansas to San Jose-sunnyvale-santa Clara (san Benito Cnty). Check your exact locality in the GPCI calculator rather than using a state average.
Related codes
Checking a different code or locality? Open the full RVU calculator to run any of the 7,790 CPT/HCPCS codes with your own GPCI factors.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 work RVU for CPT 20604?
0.87. Work RVU measures physician time, skill, and intensity — it does not change by setting or locality. Total payment adds practice expense and malpractice RVUs plus the conversion factor.
How much does Medicare pay for CPT 20604 in 2026?
About $87.18 non-facility ($39.75 facility) at national GPCI with the 2026 $33.4009 conversion factor. Your locality GPCI moves the number — see the range above.
Does the work RVU change between office and facility?
No. Work RVU (0.87) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (1.63 office vs 0.21 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.