CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 61596 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Transcochlear approach/skull — 38.44 work RVU, about $2,089.56 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 38.44
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 18.52
- PE RVU (facility)
- 18.52
- MP RVU
- 5.6
- Office payment
- $2,089.56
- Facility payment
- $2,089.56
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 61596 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (38.44 + 18.52 + 5.6) × $33.4009 ≈ $2,089.56. The same code in a facility setting pays about $2,089.56 because facility PE RVU (18.52) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 61596 non-facility payment from $1,911.62 to $2,687.75 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 61596?
38.44. 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 61596 in 2026?
About $2,089.56 non-facility ($2,089.56 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 (38.44) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (18.52 office vs 18.52 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.