CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 29861 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Hip arthro w/fb removal — 9.85 work RVU, about $657.33 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 9.85
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 8.01
- PE RVU (facility)
- 8.01
- MP RVU
- 1.82
- Office payment
- $657.33
- Facility payment
- $657.33
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 29861 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (9.85 + 8.01 + 1.82) × $33.4009 ≈ $657.33. The same code in a facility setting pays about $657.33 because facility PE RVU (8.01) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 29861 non-facility payment from $590.12 to $811.92 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 29861?
9.85. 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 29861 in 2026?
About $657.33 non-facility ($657.33 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 (9.85) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (8.01 office vs 8.01 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.