What is the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale?

The Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) is the system Medicare uses to determine payment rates for physician services. Developed to standardize medical payments, RBRVS assigns relative value units (RVUs) to each medical service based on the resources required to provide it, including physician work, practice expenses, and malpractice costs. These RVUs are then multiplied by a geographic adjustment factor and a monetary conversion factor to calculate the final payment amount.

Why the resource-based relative value scale matters

• Standardizes physician payments: Creates consistent national payment methodology
• Reflects resource intensity: Aligns reimbursement with actual costs of providing care
• Influences private insurance: Many commercial insurers base their fee schedules on RBRVS

How Solace can help

A Solace advocate can help you understand how RBRVS affects your medical costs, explain variations in physician fees, and identify when charges significantly exceed RBRVS-based rates. Advocates can also assist with negotiating fair prices for services when paying out-of-pocket.