• My Account
    • Login
  • Contact Us

CodingIntel

Medical coding resources for physicians and their staff. CodingIntel was founded by consultant and coding expert Betsy Nicoletti.

  • Join Today
  • What is CodingIntel
    • About
    • Become a Member
    • FAQ
  • Free Resources
    • Free Resources Overview
    • Blog
    • Everyday Coding Q&A
    • Newsletter
    • Can I get paid
  • Coding Library
    • E/M Changes
    • How Physician Services Are Paid
    • In Person E/M
    • Prevention & Screening
    • Care Management & Remote Monitoring
    • Surgery, Modifiers & Global
    • Diagnosis Coding
    • New & Newsworthy
    • Speciality
    • Practice Management
  • Webinars
    • Webinars
    • Coding Guides
    • Quick Reference Sheets

Dear Resident, Do you Understand Relative Value Units (RVUs)?

Measuring physician productivity with work RVUs:

News flash! Physicians are more interested in medicine than coding.

No doctor undertook the rigors of medical school in order to be an expert coder. But, when residency ends, some physicians will find themselves looking at employment contracts in which their compensation will be determined in part by productivity.  Often, the first two years will be strictly salary-based but will transition in all or part based to compensation based on productivity in the third year.

  • Physicians who work in health care organizations may find that their “work productivity” is measured in relative value units.
  • For physicians with these types of contracts, here is an explanation of RVUs.

How is productivity measured?  Work RVUs.

Skip this section if you understand RVUs.  Everyone else, read on.

Physician services are paid based on the fee associated with a CPT® code.

The CPT® code (developed by the American Medical Association) describes what was done, such as a new patient visit, a well child check or an appendectomy.

Relevant Search Terms: RVUs, physician compensation, relative value units, physician salaries, coding and revenue

To read this article in its entirety, become a member

Try RISK FREE!

 

Last revised April 5, 2022 - Betsy Nicoletti
Tags: Code sets and reimbursement

Wondering about the rules for HCC coding?

Wondering what the rules are for HCC coding, and where you can find them? This video answers your questions. The topic is important to medical practices because risk-adjusted diagnosis coding is part of Medicare Advantage contracts, many commercial contracts and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Sign up for our monthly newsletter to download the whitepaper and watch the video.

Sign Up Now

Recommended Resource

You’ve coded it, but you still have to fight to get paid! We’ve partnered with Elizabeth Woodcock to give you the tools and strategies you need.

Find them here!

Latest Intel

Coding Principles for Practice Administrators | Webinar

Coding Principles for Practice … Read More...

CPT Coding for Obstetrical and Gynecological Procedures | Webinar

Who Runs the World? GIRLS!!: CPT Coding for … Read More...

Payment denials for unspecified codes

From the day coders got their first glimpse at … Read More...

Behavioral health coding compliance

Compliance Lessons from the OIG In March 2022, … Read More...

Browse By Categories

Browse Content

  • Articles
  • Coding Guides
  • Everyday Coding Q&A
  • Videos
  • Can I Get Paid to
  • Blog
  • Webinars

Tags

behavioral health_cpt codes behavioral health_E/M services care management category of service CMS updates Code sets and reimbursement compliance issues CPT codes for preventive services CPT updates critical care services dermatology_E/M services dermatology_essential resource dermatology_procedures E/M frequency data E/M medical decision making E/M overview E/M reference sheets E/M rule changes FQHC general surgery_diagnosis coding general surgery_E/M services general surgery_modifiers general surgery_procedures global surgery issues HCC diagnosis coding ICD-10 coding level of service_MDM level of service_time medicare incident-to and shared services minor procedures modifiers other E/M services Preventive and problem visits preventive services for medicare primary care_diagnosis coding primary care_E/M services primary care_essential resource primary care_modifiers primary care_other E/M services primary care_preventive services primary care_procedures remote physiologic monitoring screening and counseling for behavioral conditions teaching physician rules telehealth
  • What is CodingIntel
  • FAQs
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Our mission is to provide accurate, comprehensive, up-to-date coding information, allowing medical practices to increase revenue, decrease coding denials and reduce compliance risk. That's what coding knowledge can do.

In 1988, CodingIntel.com founder Betsy Nicoletti started a Medical Services Organization for a rural hospital, supporting physician practice. She has been a self-employed consultant since 1998. She estimates that in the last 20 years her audience members number over 28,400 at in person events and webinars. She has had 2,500 meetings with clinical providers and reviewed over 43,000 medical notes. She knows what questions need answers and developed this resource to answer those questions. For more about Betsy visit www.betsynicoletti.com.

Copyright © 2022, CodingIntel
Privacy Policy