CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 55000 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Drainage of hydrocele — 1.39 work RVU, about $126.26 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 1.39
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 2.21
- PE RVU (facility)
- 0.74
- MP RVU
- 0.18
- Office payment
- $126.26
- Facility payment
- $77.16
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 55000 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (1.39 + 2.21 + 0.18) × $33.4009 ≈ $126.26. The same code in a facility setting pays about $77.16 because facility PE RVU (0.74) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 55000 non-facility payment from $112.93 to $161.2 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 55000?
1.39. 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 55000 in 2026?
About $126.26 non-facility ($77.16 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 (1.39) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (2.21 office vs 0.74 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.