CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 37609 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Ligation/bx temporal artery — 2.97 work RVU, about $315.64 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 2.97
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 5.83
- PE RVU (facility)
- 2.01
- MP RVU
- 0.65
- Office payment
- $315.64
- Facility payment
- $188.05
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 37609 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (2.97 + 5.83 + 0.65) × $33.4009 ≈ $315.64. The same code in a facility setting pays about $188.05 because facility PE RVU (2.01) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 37609 non-facility payment from $277.65 to $402.55 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 37609?
2.97. 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 37609 in 2026?
About $315.64 non-facility ($188.05 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 (2.97) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (5.83 office vs 2.01 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.