In what year was the Resource Based Relative Value Scale introduced?

In what year was the Resource Based Relative Value Scale introduced?

• A. 1985
• B. 1992
• C. 1999
• D. 2004

Answer: (B)

The key idea is when Medicare started using a payment system based on relative values for physician services. This Resource Based Relative Value Scale was implemented by Medicare in 1992 as part of the Physician Fee Schedule reforms that followed OBRA 1990. While the underlying work and development of RVUs occurred in the late 1980s, the actual rollout into the Medicare program happened in 1992. It uses three components—work, practice expense, and malpractice RVUs—to set payment amounts for services, rather than relying on charges. So, 1992 is the year the scale was introduced.

The key idea is when Medicare started using a payment system based on relative values for physician services. This Resource Based Relative Value Scale was implemented by Medicare in 1992 as part of the Physician Fee Schedule reforms that followed OBRA 1990. While the underlying work and development of RVUs occurred in the late 1980s, the actual rollout into the Medicare program happened in 1992. It uses three components—work, practice expense, and malpractice RVUs—to set payment amounts for services, rather than relying on charges. So, 1992 is the year the scale was introduced.