CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 51101 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Drain bladder by trocar/cath — 0.99 work RVU, about $155.98 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 0.99
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 3.55
- PE RVU (facility)
- 0.21
- MP RVU
- 0.13
- Office payment
- $155.98
- Facility payment
- $44.42
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 51101 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (0.99 + 3.55 + 0.13) × $33.4009 ≈ $155.98. The same code in a facility setting pays about $44.42 because facility PE RVU (0.21) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 51101 non-facility payment from $137.16 to $210.01 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 51101?
0.99. 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 51101 in 2026?
About $155.98 non-facility ($44.42 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 (0.99) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (3.55 office vs 0.21 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.