What is the primary purpose of relative value units (RVUs)?

The primary purpose of relative value units (RVUs) is to determine reimbursement for services provided by healthcare professionals. RVUs are a key component of various payment models in healthcare, particularly in the context of Medicare and other insurance programs. They assign a specific value to a service based on three main factors: the physician's work (time, skill, and effort), the overhead costs associated with the service, and the malpractice risk involved.

This structure allows for a standardized method of measuring and comparing the cost of services, ensuring that providers are compensated fairly based on the complexity and resource demands of different medical services. By using RVUs, insurance companies and Medicare can establish payment rates that reflect the actual resources used in providing care.

While other options touch on important aspects of healthcare, such as patient diagnosis, physician performance evaluation, and treatment protocols, they do not directly relate to the primary function of RVUs in the context of medical billing and reimbursement processes.