Orthopedics RVU Calculator
The Orthopedics RVU Calculator converts orthopedic surgery CPT codes into Work RVU, Practice Expense RVU, and Malpractice RVU. Orthopedic surgery encompasses joint replacement (27447 total knee arthroplasty = 20.84 wRVU, 27130 total hip arthroplasty = 20.05 wRVU), arthroscopy (29881 knee meniscectomy = 4.66 wRVU), fracture care, and spinal surgery. Orthopedic CPT codes carry among the highest wRVU values in all of medicine. All major orthopedic procedures use facility PE RVU values. Built on 2026 CMS data with CF $33.40.
Orthopedics RVU Calculator Pro
The Orthopedics RVU Calculator converts orthopedic surgery CPT codes into Work RVU, Practice Expense RVU, and Malpractice RVU. Orthopedic surgery encompasses joint replacement (27447 total knee arthroplasty = 20.84 wRVU, 27130 total hip arthroplasty = 20.05 wRVU), arthroscopy (29881 knee meniscectom...
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Enter a CPT code above to calculate RVUs and estimated Medicare payment
Orthopedics RVU Calculator - CPT Code Reference
Click any bar to load the CPT code into the Orthopedics RVU Calculator above. All Work RVU values reflect 2026 CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule data.
Click any bar to load the CPT code into the calculator above
How to Use the Orthopedics RVU Calculator
Follow 4 steps to calculate RVUs and estimate Medicare reimbursement for orthopedics rvu calculator services.
Enter CPT Code
Type any CPT code or search by description. The autocomplete shows wRVU values from the 2026 CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Use the chart above to find common specialty codes.
Select Place of Service
Choose Facility (hospital, ASC) or Non-Facility (office, independent clinic). The place of service directly determines the Practice Expense RVU applied to your calculation.
Adjust Units and GPCI
Enter the number of units performed. Adjust the GPCI for your geographic region. High-cost regions (NYC, SF, Boston) use GPCI values above 1.0 that increase Medicare payment.
Review Results and Use Bulk Calculator
Analyze the Work RVU, PE RVU, and Malpractice RVU breakdown with estimated Medicare payment. Use the bulk calculator below to analyze a full session or annual procedure mix.
Orthopedics RVU Calculator - RVU by CPT Code
Complete CPT code database with sortable Work RVU, PE RVU, and Malpractice RVU values. Filter by category and search by code or description. All data reflects 2026 CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule values.
| Code ↑ | Description ↕ | Category ↕ | wRVU ↕ | PE RVU | MP RVU | Total |
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Orthopedics RVU Calculator - Bulk wRVU Calculator
Orthopedic surgery is consistently among the top 3 highest-wRVU medical specialties. High per-case wRVU values for joint replacement and arthroscopic procedures enable orthopedic surgeons to generate 8,000-12,000 wRVUs annually.
Bulk RVU Calculation
Enter multiple CPT codes and quantities to calculate total RVU output and Medicare payment for a session, shift, or procedure day. Use this to project daily and annual wRVU production.
Enter Codes to Begin
Add CPT codes and quantities on the left, then click Calculate All
Orthopedic Surgery wRVU Benchmarks
Orthopedic surgery is consistently among the top 3 highest-wRVU medical specialties. High per-case wRVU values for joint replacement and arthroscopic procedures enable orthopedic surgeons to generate 8,000-12,000 wRVUs annually.
Orthopedic Surgery wRVU Benchmarks (MGMA 2024)
8,500-10,000 wRVUs/year. Mix of E&M visits, joint injections, arthroscopy, and open/reconstructive procedures.
9,000-12,000 wRVUs/year. Specializing in TKA (27447) and THA (27130) at 20+ wRVU each generates very high annual wRVU totals.
7,000-9,000 wRVUs/year. High arthroscopy volume (29881 at 4.66 wRVU; shoulder arthroscopy at 9.72 wRVU) with ligament reconstruction procedures.
9,000-13,000 wRVUs/year. Complex spinal surgery carries very high wRVU values - lumbar fusion generates 15-25 wRVU per procedure depending on levels fused.
Orthopedic surgery is consistently among the top 3 highest-wRVU medical specialties. High per-case wRVU values for joint replacement and arthroscopic procedures enable orthopedic surgeons to generate 8,000-12,000 wRVUs annually.
Orthopedics RVU Calculator - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wRVU for total knee replacement?
Total knee arthroplasty (CPT 27447) carries 20.84 Work RVU - one of the highest wRVU values in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. At the 2026 CF of $33.40: 20.84 work + 9.30 facility PE + 3.85 MP = 34.0 total RVU x $33.40 = $1,135.60 estimated Medicare physician professional fee. The hospital separately receives facility payment covering implant costs, OR time, and recovery.
What is the 90-day global period for orthopedic surgery?
Major orthopedic procedures including total joint replacement (27447, 27130) and arthroscopic procedures (29881) carry 90-day global periods. During the global period, all routine post-operative care visits within 90 days are included in the original procedure payment. Unrelated E&M services during the global period are separately billable with modifier 24.
Can orthopedic surgeons bill E&M visits in addition to procedures?
Yes. Orthopedic surgeons bill E&M codes (99202-99215 in the office) for patient evaluation visits. E&M codes on the same day as a procedure with a 0-day global period require modifier 25. E&M codes during the global period of a major surgery require modifier 24 if unrelated to the surgery.
How does bilateral joint replacement billing work?
When a surgeon performs bilateral total knee replacement in the same session, they bill CPT 27447 twice with modifier 50 (bilateral procedure). CMS pays 150% of the single-procedure amount: 100% for the first knee + 50% for the second. For 27447: approximately $1,136 + $568 = $1,704 total for bilateral procedure at 2026 rates.
Start Using the Orthopedics RVU Calculator
Calculate orthopedic RVUs for total knee/hip replacement, arthroscopy, joint injections, fracture care, and spinal surgery CPT codes. Analyze surgical case mix wRVU output and estimate 2026 Medicare physician professional fee payments. Free.
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