CPT / HCPCS code · 2026 CMS data · Verified 2026-08-31
CPT 97018 RVU and Medicare Payment (2026)
Paraffin bath therapy — 0.06 work RVU, about $6.01 non-facility Medicare payment at the 2026 conversion factor.
- Work RVU
- 0.06
- PE RVU (non-facility)
- 0.11
- PE RVU (facility)
- 0.11
- MP RVU
- 0.01
- Office payment
- $6.01
- Facility payment
- $6.01
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 97018 in a non-facility setting with national GPCI: (0.06 + 0.11 + 0.01) × $33.4009 ≈ $6.01. The same code in a facility setting pays about $6.01 because facility PE RVU (0.11) replaces office PE RVU.
What changes by locality
GPCI moves 97018 non-facility payment from $5.33 to $7.7 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 97018?
0.06. 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 97018 in 2026?
About $6.01 non-facility ($6.01 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 (0.06) and malpractice RVU stay fixed; only practice expense changes (0.11 office vs 0.11 facility). That is the entire office-vs-facility payment gap.