Build-Your-Own RVU Calculator

Physicians needing to do CPT code research and using more than a handful of CPT codes, including working on your own practice's pricing using the federally mandated RBRVS System, either have to be a computer whiz, spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on software, or do it by hand.

If you search on-line hard enough, you can find some spreadsheet-based tools, use CMS's tool, or even use PCC's Pediatric RVU Calculator. Each of these methods has problems, however: the data is hard to follow, you can't change your own multiplier, you have a very limited CPT code set, it's difficult to get the data into a spreadsheet, or you have to be on-line, etc.

In an abundance of caution and, because in our unhappy experience, the American Medical Association interprets its rights (in our opinion) overly broadly, we built this new tool only for those of you who have a CPT license that allows for a use such as this. Five minutes of homework and you have a spreadsheet you can use at your leisure to check your pricing, measure productivity, or move your results as you see fit. Presuming that you are licensed to use the CPT codes and data from CMS (which most practicing physicians are), and your AMA or CMS license allows for this (consult your own attorney), simply follow the directions below and you're done!

Instructions

1. Download the spreadsheet from the list below. You must choose the year you wish to examine, as each year has different values and will produce different results. You may need to right-click on the file to download it!

   Year	OpenOffice	Excel
   2008	rvu-byo08.ods	rvu-byo08.xls
   2007	rvu-byo07.ods	rvu-byo07.xls
   2006	rvu-byo06.ods	rvu-byo06.xls
   2005	rvu-byo05.ods	rvu-byo05.xls
   2004	rvu-byo04.ods	rvu-byo04.xls
   2003	rvu-byo03.ods	rvu-byo03.xls

2. Download the right datafile from the list below based on the year you chose to work with. So, if you are looking at 2007 rates, choose the CMS data file for 2007 below. Clicking on the link will bring you to the CMS license page, which you need to confirm before they will let you download the file. After you agree to the license, the file should automatically download.

   Your click below indicates that you agree to the terms and conditions of this site and of this license. You represent and warrant that you or your employer has a valid license to use CPT codes in connection with a spreadsheet to calculate RVU.

   Year	File
   2008	RVU08AR.zip
   2007	rvu07B.zip
   2006	rvu06d.zip
   2005	rvu05_e.zip
   2004	rvu04_d.zip
   2003	rvu03_d.zip

3. Unzip the datafile you downloaded above and find the appropriate files within it. Those filenames are: rvu06d.zip

   Year File	Files
   RVU08AR.zip	PPRRVU08.xls
   rvu07B.zip	PPRRVU07.xls
   PPRRVU06.xls
   rvu05_e.zip	PPRRVU05.xls
   rvu04_d.zip	pprrvu04r.xls
   rvu03_d.zip	pprrvu03.xls

4. Using your favorite spreadsheet tool (we prefer OpenOffice), copy the specific CMS file above into the tab indicated in the RVU spreadsheet you downloaded. Using 2007 as an example:
   1. Open PPRRVU07.xls. It should look something like this:
   2. "Select All" by using your menu or typing "Ctrl-A". All of the visible cells on your screen should be highlighted. Don't bother using your mouse to do this, as there are a lot of records and it's easy to miss rows or columns.
   3. Copy your selection using the menus or by typing "Ctrl-C".
   4. Open rvu-byo07. Look for the tab labeled "PPRRVU07" and click on it. You should find a largely empty spreadsheet with a little note telling you to "Paste the PPRRVU07.xls data here!"
   5. Click in the first cell (A1) and paste your data into the box using your menus or by hitting "Ctrl-V". Don't be concerned if pasting in the CPT file takes a minute or two, it's a lot of data! If you get it right, it should look something like this:
   6. Starting calculating!
5. You've done all the hard work! To calculate your fee schedule, work RVUs, etc.:
   
   1. Click in cell B7, which is labeled "Practice Location." Once you click in it, you will have a pull down menu generated from the CMS data for that year. Choose your desired location from the menu.
   2. In the Medicare Multiplier cell (B9), change the desired Medicare multiplier from 100% to whatever you wish. Pediatric practices might want to see our comments about the multiplier.
   3. Finally, in any of the cells in column A below row 13, enter as many as 300 CPT codes. The spreadsheet will automatically calculate the proper RVU values and pricing for you. The table itself is easily manipulated to meet your needs.
   4. Share with your friends!