CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 61770 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Incise skull for treatment — 22.61 work RVU, about $1,584.87 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 22.61
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 15.29
- PE RVU (facility)
- 15.29
- MP RVU
- 9.55
- Office payment
- $1,584.87
- Facility payment
- $1,584.87
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 61770 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (22.61 + 15.29 + 9.55) × $33.4009 ≈ $1,584.87. The same code in a facility setting pays about $1,584.87 because facility PE RVU (15.29) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 61770 non-facility payment from $1,342.69 to $2,093.53 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 61770?
22.61. 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 61770 in 2026?
About $1,584.87 non-facility ($1,584.87 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 (22.61) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (15.29 office vs 15.29 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.