Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Where are RVUs?
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Question: You have mentioned a book about RVUs in the past couple of newsletters. What is it, and where can I get a copy?
Delaware Subscriber
Answer: The abbreviation RVU stands for relative value unit, which is the value that Medicare assigns to a procedure code. The RVU for a procedure code, multiplied by the Medicare conversion factor ($38.2581 for 2001), results in the unadjusted payment amount for the procedure. Geographic adjustments are then made to arrive at a final payment.
The list of RVUs for CPT procedure codes is contained in the Medicare Physicians Fee Schedule Database, which is available online at www.hcfa.gov/stats/carrpuf.htm.
If you are a subscriber to the Federal Register, there is also a copy of the 2001 Physicians Fee Schedule in the Nov. 1, 2000, edition.
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