CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 21116 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Injection jaw joint x-ray — 0.79 work RVU, about $222.45 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 0.79
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 5.75
- PE RVU (facility)
- 0.25
- MP RVU
- 0.12
- Office payment
- $222.45
- Facility payment
- $38.75
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 21116 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (0.79 + 5.75 + 0.12) × $33.4009 ≈ $222.45. The same code in a facility setting pays about $38.75 because facility PE RVU (0.25) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 21116 non-facility payment from $193.43 to $308.38 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 21116?
0.79. 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 21116 in 2026?
About $222.45 non-facility ($38.75 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 (0.79) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (5.75 office vs 0.25 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.