How Doctor Relative Value Units (RVUs) Work - Secret to How Doctors Get Paid

Relative Value Units (RVUs) Are How Doctor Work is Measured.

RVUs are tied to the CPT Code on Each Professional Fee Bill to Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial Health Insurance Companies.

For Example a 'Level 2' Office Visit is CPT Code 99202 and is Equal to 1.73 RVUs.

Medicare Reimburses $37 per RVU.

Commercial Health Insurance Reimburses from $55 to $70 Per RVU.

The Number of RVUs for Each Activity Done by Doctors is Determined by the Relative Value Scale Update Committee... Referred to as 'RUC' for Short.

RUC is Run by the American Medical Association. RUC has One or More Representatives from Each of the Specialties (e.g. Dermatology, Ophthalmology, etc.).

RUC Gathers Survey Data from Doctors on 'How Long' it Takes for Them to Perform Their Tests and Procedures.

RUC Votes to Determine How that Survey Data Translates into RVUs and Accordingly How Much Doctors Will Be Paid.

RUC Sends Its Recommendations to Medicare, which Almost Always Accepts Them.

As One Can Imagine, RUC Has a Pivotal Role in Physician Reimbursement and Doctor Income.

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[patricklong]

Thanks Dr Bricker for shedding some light on this very important topic. The entire commercial insurance “machine” sits atop the RVU algorithm... yet very few people ever discuss it. Keep showing us these rabbit holes- we are ready!

[hellodzheng]

Getting ready to start my new career as a provider and I am just now learning about this.

[JQPOINT]

Love each one of your presentations. Very informative and educational

[denielf.]

Thanks for the information! I just took my cpc test, and i dont recall ever learning about RVU's, but the Practicode that i'm currently doing thru AAPC to remove my Apprentice status requires that each code is listed by highest RVU. I appreciate your time and effort to explain!

[grudgerun]

Thanks for your insight on RVUs, Dr. B. I'd be interested in other aspects of their use within the industry, if you are so inclined in future.

[thSun]

If I got paid in ruvles, I would start a ruckus.

[bhuvansrinivasan]

Dr.Bricker - if docs set their own pay, and the more time a procedure takes the more you get paid, how do you incentivise docs and the system to get more efficient? The way it’s set up healthcare will cost more and more over time for the same quality.

[mattjeffsdpt]

The RUC is a fox guarding our chicken coop.

[mattjeffsdpt]

Your lapel mic isn't working. You're still picking up ambient sound. You need to make sure your mic is set up with your computer.

[richiecartagena]

Hello
Can you pls help me financially i want to study as medical dr in the Philippines