Calculating Medicare Payments From RVUs and GPCIs

By definition, geographic practice cost indices (GPCIs) differ from region to region. Here is an example of how a single-view chest x-ray would be calculated in Kentucky.   Procedure: A chest x-ray (71010-26), performed in a facility (hospital-based); transitional for 2001 (see chart)








To calculate the actual fee schedule amount for a single view of the chest, multiple the GPCI-corrected total RVU by the national conversion factor of $38.2581. This reveals that the anticipated Medicare payment would equal $9.33 in 2001.

The HCFA file (see insert for link) contains a complete listing of the 2001 GPCIs by Medicare carrier and locality.


- Published on 2001-07-01