CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 21556 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Exc neck tum deep < 5 cm — 7.47 work RVU, about $491.33 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 7.47
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 5.76
- PE RVU (facility)
- 5.76
- MP RVU
- 1.48
- Office payment
- $491.33
- Facility payment
- $491.33
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 21556 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (7.47 + 5.76 + 1.48) × $33.4009 ≈ $491.33. The same code in a facility setting pays about $491.33 because facility PE RVU (5.76) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 21556 non-facility payment from $440.23 to $606.39 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 21556?
7.47. 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 21556 in 2026?
About $491.33 non-facility ($491.33 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 (7.47) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (5.76 office vs 5.76 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.