CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 90838 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Psytx w pt w e/m 60 min — 2.86 work RVU, about $136.61 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 2.86
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 1.11
- PE RVU (facility)
- 0.32
- MP RVU
- 0.12
- Office payment
- $136.61
- Facility payment
- $110.22
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 90838 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (2.86 + 1.11 + 0.12) × $33.4009 ≈ $136.61. The same code in a facility setting pays about $110.22 because facility PE RVU (0.32) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 90838 non-facility payment from $129.44 to $184.98 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 90838?
2.86. 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 90838 in 2026?
About $136.61 non-facility ($110.22 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 (2.86) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (1.11 office vs 0.32 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.