CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 33978 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Remove ventricular device — 24.38 work RVU, about $1,236.84 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 24.38
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 6.81
- PE RVU (facility)
- 6.81
- MP RVU
- 5.84
- Office payment
- $1,236.84
- Facility payment
- $1,236.84
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 33978 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (24.38 + 6.81 + 5.84) × $33.4009 ≈ $1,236.84. The same code in a facility setting pays about $1,236.84 because facility PE RVU (6.81) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 33978 non-facility payment from $1,092.3 to $1,571.19 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 33978?
24.38. 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 33978 in 2026?
About $1,236.84 non-facility ($1,236.84 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 (24.38) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (6.81 office vs 6.81 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.