CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 51500 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Removal of bladder cyst — 10.77 work RVU, about $580.17 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 10.77
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 5.23
- PE RVU (facility)
- 5.23
- MP RVU
- 1.37
- Office payment
- $580.17
- Facility payment
- $580.17
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 51500 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (10.77 + 5.23 + 1.37) × $33.4009 ≈ $580.17. The same code in a facility setting pays about $580.17 because facility PE RVU (5.23) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 51500 non-facility payment from $533.35 to $750.85 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 51500?
10.77. 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 51500 in 2026?
About $580.17 non-facility ($580.17 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 (10.77) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (5.23 office vs 5.23 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.