CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 20838 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Replantation foot complete — 41.81 work RVU, about $2,494.05 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 41.81
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 23.93
- PE RVU (facility)
- 23.93
- MP RVU
- 8.93
- Office payment
- $2,494.05
- Facility payment
- $2,494.05
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 20838 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (41.81 + 23.93 + 8.93) × $33.4009 ≈ $2,494.05. The same code in a facility setting pays about $2,494.05 because facility PE RVU (23.93) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 20838 non-facility payment from $2,236.69 to $3,110.32 across CMS localities — from Arkansas to Alaska. 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 20838?
41.81. 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 20838 in 2026?
About $2,494.05 non-facility ($2,494.05 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 (41.81) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (23.93 office vs 23.93 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.