RBRVS: old concepts, bad press.

Abstract

As health care finance has changed from a system of cash from patients to third-party reimbursement, a variety of mechanisms have been devised to bring equity to the payment process. The latest payment mechanism for this purpose is the resource-based relative value scale system implemented by Medicare, which is now being adopted by other third-party payers. However, too many payers are pushing for discounts from providers at the point of adoption of the system, thus foiling the equity aspect of the system.