Cardiology RVU Calculator
The Cardiology RVU Calculator converts cardiac CPT codes into Work RVU, Practice Expense RVU, and Malpractice RVU components. Cardiology spans 3 billing categories: evaluation and management visits, diagnostic cardiac procedures (ECG, echocardiography, stress testing), and invasive procedures (cardiac catheterization, PCI, EP studies). The 2026 CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor of $33.40 applies to all cardiology CPT codes. Cardiac procedures carry significantly higher wRVU values than office visits - PCI with stent (CPT 92928) carries 8.42 wRVU compared to 1.92 wRVU for a moderate-complexity office visit.
Cardiology RVU Calculator Pro
Cardiology RVU values span a wide range - from 0.17 wRVU for an ECG interpretation (CPT 93000) to 33.74 wRVU for coronary artery bypass surgery (CPT 33533). Invasive cardiology procedures in facility settings use lower PE RVU values since the hospital covers equipment and catheterization lab costs. Non-invasive cardiac procedures performed in outpatient cardiology offices use non-facility PE RVU values that reflect equipment ownership costs.
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Enter a cardiology CPT code to calculate RVUs and Medicare payment
How Cardiology RVU Calculation Works
Cardiology has 3 distinct billing tiers based on procedure type and setting. Cognitive services (E&M visits) carry moderate wRVU values. Diagnostic cardiac procedures (echocardiography, stress testing) carry mid-range wRVU values with significant PE RVU differences between facility and non-facility settings. Invasive procedures (cardiac catheterization, PCI, CABG) carry high wRVU values and always use facility PE rates.
For transthoracic echocardiography (CPT 93306) in a non-facility setting: Work RVU = 1.30, PE RVU = 4.68, MP RVU = 0.05. Total = 6.03 RVUs × $33.40 = $201.40 estimated Medicare payment. In a facility setting (hospital echo lab), PE RVU drops to 0.62, lowering total to 1.97 RVUs and payment to $65.80.
What the Cardiology RVU Calculator Does Not Cover
The Cardiology RVU Calculator does not apply global period rules for cardiac surgery - CABG (CPT 33533) includes a 90-day global period during which post-operative visits are included in the procedure payment. It does not apply professional component (modifier 26) splits for cardiologists who interpret studies they did not personally perform, and does not apply multiple procedure payment reduction rules for same-session cardiac procedures.
Cardiology CPT Codes - Work RVU Comparison
Cardiology Work RVU values range from 0.17 wRVU for ECG interpretation alone (CPT 93000) to 33.74 wRVU for coronary artery bypass with single arterial graft (CPT 33533). Click any bar to load the code into the Cardiology RVU Calculator above.
Click any bar to load the CPT code into the Cardiology RVU Calculator above
How to Use the Cardiology RVU Calculator
4 steps to calculate cardiology RVUs across cognitive services, diagnostic procedures, and invasive cardiac interventions.
Select Cardiac CPT Code
Search by cardiac procedure: ECG (93000), echocardiography (93306), stress test (93015), cardiac catheterization (93458), PCI (92928), or CABG (33533). The autocomplete shows wRVU values from the 2026 CMS MPFS.
Choose Setting Accurately
Cardiology setting selection critically affects payment. Office-based echocardiography uses non-facility PE RVU = 4.68. Hospital-based echo uses facility PE RVU = 0.62. Invasive cath lab procedures always use facility rates (hospital covers cath lab overhead).
Adjust for Volume and Region
Enter patient units for the same procedure across a day, week, or month. Adjust GPCI for your cardiology practice location. Cardiology practices in high-cost regions (NYC, SF, Boston) use GPCI values of 1.10–1.50 for the Work component.
Analyze Procedure Mix RVU Output
Use the bulk calculator to analyze a full day's procedure mix - combining office visits, diagnostic echo studies, stress tests, and any procedures. Total wRVUs across the procedure mix show daily and projected annual cardiology productivity.
Cardiology RVU by CPT Code
Every cardiology CPT code maps to specific RVU values in the CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The AMA CPT Editorial Panel maintains cardiology procedure code definitions. The ACC/AHA work with the RUC to recommend wRVU values for cardiac procedure codes based on physician time studies and expert surveys.
| Code ↑ | Description ↕ | Category ↕ | wRVU ↕ | PE RVU | MP RVU | Total |
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Cardiology wRVU Bulk Calculator
Cardiologists generate wRVUs across cognitive services, diagnostic procedures, and invasive interventions. MGMA data shows the median cardiologist produces 7,500–8,500 wRVUs per year. Interventional cardiologists who perform high-wRVU procedures like PCI (8.42 wRVU each) and cardiac catheterization often exceed 10,000 wRVUs annually. Use the bulk calculator to analyze total wRVU output for a procedure day or projected annual output.
How to Use the Cardiology Bulk Calculator
Enter each cardiac CPT code with the number of procedures performed. The bulk calculator sums Work RVUs, PE RVUs, and Malpractice RVUs across the full procedure mix and calculates total estimated Medicare payment. Use this to project cardiology practice revenue and physician wRVU productivity targets.
Enter Cardiac Codes to Begin
Add cardiac CPT codes and volumes, then click Calculate All
Understanding Cardiology Work RVU Benchmarks
Cardiology wRVU production varies significantly between general cardiologists (primarily cognitive and diagnostic services) and interventional cardiologists (high-wRVU procedures). MGMA data shows a 30–50% wRVU differential between the two subspecialties, reflecting the higher per-procedure wRVU values for invasive cardiac work.
Cardiology wRVU Benchmarks (MGMA 2024)
7,000–8,500 wRVUs/year. Mix of office E&M, diagnostic echocardiography, stress testing, and consultations.
9,500–12,000 wRVUs/year. PCI procedures (8.42 wRVU each) and catheterizations significantly elevate annual wRVU production.
8,500–11,000 wRVUs/year. EP studies and ablation procedures carry high wRVU values. Implantable device procedures add significant production.
$65–$90 per wRVU for employed cardiologists. Interventional cardiologists may command $80–$100/wRVU due to procedural volume and risk.
MGMA 2024 data reports median total cardiology compensation of $510,000–$600,000 for general cardiologists and $650,000–$800,000 for interventional cardiologists, reflecting the significant wRVU differential between subspecialties.
Cardiology RVU Calculator - Frequently Asked Questions
What cardiology CPT code has the highest Work RVU?
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with a single arterial graft (CPT 33533) carries 33.74 wRVU - the highest in cardiology. Among common outpatient procedures, PCI with stent placement (CPT 92928) carries 8.42 wRVU. Among diagnostic procedures, transthoracic echocardiography (CPT 93306) carries 1.30 wRVU. ECG interpretation alone (CPT 93000) carries 0.17 wRVU.
How does facility vs. non-facility setting affect cardiology RVU payment?
The setting difference is most dramatic for diagnostic cardiac procedures. Echocardiography (93306) in a non-facility office: PE RVU = 4.68, total = 6.03 RVUs, payment ≈ $201. In a hospital setting: PE RVU = 0.62, total = 1.97 RVUs, payment ≈ $66. The Work RVU (1.30) and Malpractice RVU (0.05) remain the same regardless of setting - only PE RVU changes.
Do cardiologists bill globally for echocardiography?
Cardiologists who own their own echocardiography equipment and perform and interpret the study bill globally (all 3 RVU components). Hospital-employed cardiologists who interpret studies performed by hospital equipment and technologists bill with modifier 26 (professional component only) - capturing only the Work RVU and Malpractice RVU. The technical component (modifier TC) is billed by the hospital for the equipment and technologist costs.
What is a typical cardiologist's annual wRVU production?
MGMA 2024 data shows general cardiologist median wRVU production at 7,800 wRVUs/year (50th percentile). The 75th percentile is 9,500 wRVUs/year. Interventional cardiologists have a higher median of approximately 9,800 wRVUs/year. The 90th percentile for interventional cardiologists is above 13,000 wRVUs/year, driven by high-volume catheterization lab practice.
How are cardiology global surgery rules applied?
Cardiac surgical procedures including CABG (CPT 33533) and valve replacement carry 90-day global periods. During the global period, post-operative visits related to the surgery are included in the original procedure payment and cannot be billed separately. Pre-operative visits on the day of or the day before surgery (modifier 57) can be billed separately. Cardiologists who manage patients post-cardiac surgery under a different provider's care bill their services normally.
What is the Medicare payment for a complete echocardiogram in 2026?
For CPT 93306 (echocardiography, transthoracic, complete with color flow and spectral Doppler) in a non-facility setting, the 2026 Medicare payment is approximately $201 (6.03 total RVU × $33.40 CF). In a facility setting, payment is approximately $66 (1.97 total RVU × $33.40). The difference reflects that hospitals cover equipment and sonographer costs for facility-based studies, receiving separate facility payment.
Can I bill a cardiology consultation and a procedure on the same day?
Yes. Under the 2023+ CMS guidelines, cardiologists can bill E&M visits (office consultations using 99242–99245 when the payer accepts them, or 99213–99215 for established patients) and diagnostic or interventional procedures on the same date when the E&M is separately identifiable and documented. Modifier 25 must be appended to the E&M code when it is performed on the same day as a procedure with a 0 or 10-day global period.
Start Using the Cardiology RVU Calculator
Calculate RVUs for echocardiography, stress testing, PCI, CABG, ECG, and cardiac catheterization codes. Analyze procedure mix wRVU output, compare facility vs. non-facility payment differences, and project annual cardiology productivity using 2026 CMS data. Free - no login required.
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