title: Application of the resource-based relative value scale system to pediatrics.
abstract: The majority of public and private payers in the United States currently use the Medicare Resource-Based Relative Value Scale as the basis for physician payment. Many large group and academic practices have adopted this objective system of physician work to benchmark physician productivity, including using it, wholly or in part, to determine compensation. The Resource-Based Relative Value Scale survey instrument, used to value physician services, was designed primarily for procedural services, leading to current concerns that American Medical Association/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) surveys may undervalue nonprocedural evaluation and management services. The American Academy of Pediatrics is represented on the RUC, the committee charged with maintaining accurate physician work values across specialties and age groups. The Academy, working closely with other primary care and subspecialty societies, actively pursues a balanced RUC membership and a survey instrument that will ensure appropriate work relative value unit assignments, thereby allowing pediatricians to receive appropriate payment for their services relative to other services.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gerstle
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Molteni
authors.forename: Margie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Andreae
authors.forename: Joel F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Eileen D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Krug
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Liechty
authors.forename: Jeffrey F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Linzer
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pillsbury
authors.forename: Sanjeev Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tuli
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes; D002648:Child; D039702:Current Procedural Terminology; D005245:Fee Schedules; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015895:Relative Value Scales; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States