S3E1: PMHNP wRVU Pay: How Productivity Contracts Work

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!PMHNP wRVU pay explained: 2026 work RVU values for 99214, 90833 and 90792, the math behind productivity bonuses, and the six contract clauses to get in writing. In this Deep Dive episode, two hosts walk through “PMHNP wRVU Pay: How Productivity Contracts Work” from the Psych NP Fellowship blog by Lindsay Hill, DNP, PMHNP-BC. Key takeaways: • A wRVU (work relative value unit) is a fixed credit CMS assigns to each CPT code. Many employers pay PMHNPs a set dollar amount per wRVU above a yearly threshold. • In 2026, a 99214 follow-up earns 1.92 wRVUs. Add a documented 30-minute psychotherapy add-on (90833, 1.71 wRVUs) and the same visit earns 3.63, about 89% more credit. • wRVUs do not shrink when Medicare pays NPs 85% of the physician rate or when a patient has Medicaid. That makes wRVU pay safer than collections-based pay for many PMHNPs. • Behavioral health codes were exempt from the 2026 CMS efficiency adjustment, which cut work RVUs 2.5% on about 7,700 non-time-based codes. • Before signing, get six things in writing: the wRVU threshold, the dollar rate, the fee schedule year, a ramp-up guarantee, how add-ons are credited, and how unpaid work is handled. Read the full article: https://psychnpfellowship.com/pmhnp-wrvu-compensation-explained-2026/ Explore the Psych NP Fellowship: https://psychnpfellowship.com/programs/ This content is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized clinical judgment or supervision.