Answers to common questions about wRVUs and the calculator.
Using the Calculator
How do I get started?
Select your specialty from the dropdown, then add CPT codes from the E&M or procedure panels. Set your weekly or monthly volume for each code using the stepper controls. The dashboard updates in real time with your projected wRVUs and compensation.
How does the reverse planner work?
If your projected annual wRVUs fall short of your target, the reverse planner calculates how many additional procedures per week you would need to close the gap. The clinic / OR mix slider controls how the gap is distributed between E&M visits and procedures. A 50/50 split divides the deficit evenly; sliding toward clinic or OR biases the recommendation accordingly. The calculator then distributes the category-level deficit across your selected codes proportionally to your current volume.
Can I switch between weekly and monthly volumes?
Yes. Use the Weekly/Monthly toggle in the settings bar to switch all codes at once, or tap the /wk or /mo button on individual codes. When switching, volumes are converted using a 4-week month for clean numbers.
Can I save multiple scenarios?
Yes. Click "Saved" in the header to save your current setup as a named snapshot. You can save as many scenarios as you want, rename them, update them in place, delete them, and share them via URL. If you are signed in, saved calculations sync across devices automatically.
Can I compare two job offers side-by-side?
You can save each offer as a separate calculation in the Saved Calculations library, then load each one to review its projected wRVU production and compensation. A dedicated side-by-side comparison view is planned.
Can I export my calculations?
Yes. Click "Export" to generate a CSV or PDF report of your current calculation. Reports include the full code list, volumes, wRVU production, and compensation projection. You can also copy a shareable URL from the Share button.
How accurate is the compensation projection?
The basic calculator uses a flat $/wRVU rate multiplied by annual production. Pro subscribers can use the Advanced Compensation section to add a base salary, tiered wRVU rates, quality bonuses, and other contract components for more detailed modeling. Even with these inputs, treat projections as estimates — always review exact terms with your contract negotiator or an attorney.
What is the Advanced Compensation section?
The Advanced Compensation section is a Pro feature that lets you model real-world contract structures beyond a simple flat $/wRVU rate. You can enter a base salary, define tiered wRVU rates (e.g., $50/wRVU for the first 6,000 wRVUs, then $65/wRVU above that), add quality bonuses, call pay, administrative stipends, and other components. The calculator combines all inputs to project total annual compensation.
Productivity Tracker
What is the Tracker?
The Tracker is a daily logging tool where you record the CPT codes and quantities you actually performed each day. It provides weekly, monthly, and year-to-date wRVU production summaries, pace tracking against your annual goal, and historical trend charts. It answers "how am I actually performing?" vs. the Calculator which answers "what if I do X per week?"
How do I log an entry?
Tap the + button in the bottom-right corner of any page. In the modal, select the date, specialty, and session type, then search for a CPT code or use the quick-add buttons for your most-used codes. Set the quantity and tap Add. The entry is saved immediately.
Which specialties are supported?
Eight specialties are currently available: Urology, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, ENT / Otolaryngology, OB/GYN, Gastroenterology, Vascular Surgery, and Interventional Cardiology. More specialties are planned. Each specialty has its own curated CPT code list covering the procedures and E&M visits most commonly performed by physicians in that field.
wRVU Terminology
What is a wRVU?
A Work Relative Value Unit (wRVU) measures the physician work component of a medical service — the time, technical skill, mental effort, judgment, and stress involved. Each CPT code has a wRVU value assigned annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the Physician Fee Schedule. Higher-complexity services carry higher wRVU values.
How is wRVU different from total RVU?
A total RVU for any given CPT code is the sum of three components: the work RVU (wRVU), the practice expense RVU (peRVU), and the malpractice RVU (mpRVU). wRVU is the portion that directly reflects physician effort and is the component most commonly used for productivity tracking and compensation. This calculator focuses on wRVU because that is the metric tied to most physician compensation formulas.
How does CMS determine wRVU values?
CMS publishes the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) annually, which assigns a wRVU value to each CPT code. Values are reviewed periodically by the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) and adjusted for changes in clinical practice, time requirements, and complexity. New codes, deleted codes, and revaluations all take effect on January 1 of each year.
What is the difference between E&M and procedure codes?
Evaluation and Management (E&M) codes cover clinic visits — things like new patient visits (99202–99205), established patient visits (99212–99215), and consultations. Procedure codes cover surgeries, endoscopies, and technical procedures performed in the OR or procedure room. This calculator shows both in separate panels because most physicians produce wRVUs from a mix of both categories.
What is a "good" annual wRVU target?
It depends heavily on specialty. The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) publishes median wRVU production data each year. As rough 2026 reference points: family medicine is around 4,800, urology around 7,500, cardiology around 9,400, and orthopedic surgery around 9,200. This calculator pre-fills the MGMA median for each specialty as a starting target, which you can adjust to match your own contract.
How do I convert wRVUs to dollars?
Most physician compensation models pay a fixed dollar amount per wRVU produced. If your contract pays $55 per wRVU and you produce 7,500 wRVUs in a year, your compensation is 7,500 x $55 = $412,500. Enter your contract's $/wRVU rate in the settings bar and the calculator will project annual compensation automatically. For contracts with base salaries or tiered rates, Pro subscribers can use the Advanced Compensation section for a more accurate projection.
Data & Sources
Where does the data come from?
All wRVU values come directly from the CMS 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, published on cms.gov. Specialty median benchmarks are compiled from publicly available MGMA, SullivanCotter, and AMGA summary data. This calculator is not affiliated with CMS, MGMA, or any professional society.
How often is the calculator updated?
wRVU values are updated annually when CMS publishes a new Physician Fee Schedule (typically November, effective January 1). The calculator is currently using 2026 CMS data. Specialty benchmarks are updated when new MGMA or AMGA summary data is published, typically once per year.
Is this calculator affiliated with CMS or any medical society?
No. RVU Pulse is an independent tool built to help physicians model productivity scenarios. All data is sourced from publicly available CMS publications and summary benchmark reports. Always verify specific CPT code values against the official CMS Physician Fee Schedule before making contract or compensation decisions.
Subscription & Billing
What is free and what requires a subscription?
The wRVU calculator is completely free — you can select a specialty, add codes, adjust volumes, and see projected wRVUs and compensation without an account. Features like saving calculations, exporting reports, sharing via URL, and the Productivity Tracker require a free account. Some features may require a Pro subscription in the future.
How are payments handled?
All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a PCI Level 1 certified payment processor used by millions of businesses worldwide. RVU Pulse never sees, stores, or has access to your credit card number or payment details. Your card information is entered directly on Stripe's secure checkout page and is encrypted end-to-end.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. Stripe handles all payment processing and is certified to the highest industry security standards (PCI DSS Level 1). Your card details never touch our servers. Stripe uses AES-256 encryption for data at rest and TLS for data in transit. You can read more about Stripe's security at stripe.com/docs/security.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, you can cancel at any time from the Settings page. Your Pro features remain active until the end of your current billing period. After cancellation, your account reverts to the free tier but your saved data is never deleted.
Do you offer refunds?
If you are unsatisfied within the first 14 days of a new subscription, contact us through the Feedback page and we will issue a full refund.
Privacy & Security
Does this tool store or transmit my data?
Without an account, all data stays in your browser's local storage and never leaves your device. If you create an account, your saved calculations sync to a secure database so you can access them across devices. Your data is never sent to third-party cloud services or sold. The tool also sends anonymous usage statistics (page views and button clicks) to a privacy-focused analytics server with no cookies, no IP tracking, and no personal information. Any standard ad-blocker blocks the analytics script with no impact on the calculator.
Do I need an account to use the calculator?
No. The calculator is fully functional without an account. Creating an account is optional and only needed if you want to sync your saved calculations across multiple devices or browsers, or to use premium features like the Productivity Tracker. Without an account, your data is stored locally in your browser.
What data is stored when I create an account?
Your email address, your current calculator working state (selected specialty, target wRVU, selected codes and volumes), and any saved calculation snapshots. We do not collect your name, institution, location, or any patient data. You can delete your account and all associated data at any time from the Settings page.
Where is my data stored?
All user data is stored in a secure database built on open-source, audited technology. The database enforces row-level security, meaning each user can only access their own data. Your data is never shared with or sold to third parties. Email verification and password reset emails are processed through a transactional email service that handles your email address only for delivery purposes.