Diffusion of Medicare's RBRVS and related physician payment policies.
In 1992, Medicare reformed its physician payment method by implementing the Medicare fee schedule (MFS), of which the resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) is a major component. Using a recent survey and case studies, we examine the diffusion of Medicare's RBRVS to non-Medicare payers and how those payers use and perceive the RBRVS and MFS policies. We find that approximately one-third of payers that participated in the survey have adopted RBRVS-based payment systems in varying degrees while another 40 percent were seriously considering its adoption. Prospects for expanded use of Medicare's RBRVS appear favorable.
Health Economics Research, Inc., Washington, DC 20005, USA.
L A
LA
McCormack
R T
RT
Burge
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005245:Fee Schedules; D006302:Health Services Research; D007357:Insurance, Physician Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D016345:Medicare Part B / Q000458:organization & administration; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000639:trends*; D015895:Relative Value Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States