CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 61597 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Transcondylar approach/skull — 39.8 work RVU, about $2,965.67 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 39.8
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 32.18
- PE RVU (facility)
- 32.18
- MP RVU
- 16.81
- Office payment
- $2,965.67
- Facility payment
- $2,965.67
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 61597 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (39.8 + 32.18 + 16.81) × $33.4009 ≈ $2,965.67. The same code in a facility setting pays about $2,965.67 because facility PE RVU (32.18) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 61597 non-facility payment from $2,531.99 to $3,868.22 across CMS localities — from Wisconsin to Miami. 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 61597?
39.8. 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 61597 in 2026?
About $2,965.67 non-facility ($2,965.67 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 (39.8) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (32.18 office vs 32.18 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.