1. What is RVU Calculation?

The Relative Value Unit (RVU) system is used to calculate physician reimbursement under Medicare's Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS). The total RVU is the sum of three components: work RVU (wRVU), practice expense RVU (peRVU), and malpractice RVU (mpRVU).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RVU formula:

Where:

• \( \text{wRVU} \) — Work Relative Value Unit (physician work component)
• \( \text{peRVU} \) — Practice Expense Relative Value Unit (practice costs)
• \( \text{mpRVU} \) — Malpractice Relative Value Unit (malpractice insurance costs)

Explanation: Each component reflects different aspects of the cost and effort involved in providing medical services.

3. Importance of RVU Calculation

Details: RVU calculations are essential for determining fair reimbursement rates, practice management, and productivity measurement in healthcare settings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wRVU, peRVU, and mpRVU values from StrataPT for a specific CPT code. All values must be non-negative numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where can I find RVU values for CPT codes?
A: RVU values are published by CMS and can be found in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule or through tools like StrataPT.

Q2: How often are RVU values updated?
A: CMS typically updates RVU values annually, though interim changes may occur for specific codes.

Q3: Are RVUs the same across all payers?
A: While Medicare uses standard RVUs, private payers may use modified versions of these values.

Q4: What's the difference between RVU and dollar payment?
A: The dollar payment is calculated by multiplying total RVUs by a conversion factor (dollar amount per RVU).

Q5: Can I use this for all CPT codes?
A: This calculator works for any CPT code that has all three RVU components. Some codes may have zero values for certain components.