CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 33681 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Closure 1 vsd w/wo patch — 31.53 work RVU, about $1,745.87 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 31.53
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 12.79
- PE RVU (facility)
- 12.79
- MP RVU
- 7.95
- Office payment
- $1,745.87
- Facility payment
- $1,745.87
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 33681 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (31.53 + 12.79 + 7.95) × $33.4009 ≈ $1,745.87. The same code in a facility setting pays about $1,745.87 because facility PE RVU (12.79) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 33681 non-facility payment from $1,544.17 to $2,180.97 across CMS localities — from Wisconsin 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 33681?
31.53. 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 33681 in 2026?
About $1,745.87 non-facility ($1,745.87 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 (31.53) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (12.79 office vs 12.79 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.