Compiled list of particular rating or rank of medical services based on the intensity of the procedure performed. Each professional service listed by procedure code is given a relative value unit (RVU) and that is multiplied by a dollar conversion factor to show the monetary value for each procedure. The study becomes a fee schedule when dollar conversion factors are applied. RVS is published as a guide book to show the relative value of one procedure over another. Also called relative value scale (RVS) .

Monetary value assigned to each service based on the amount of physician work, practice expenses, and the cost of professional liability insurance. These three RVUs are then adjusted according to geographical area and used in a formula to determine Medicare fees.

Assigned weight calculated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that reflects the resource consumption of each diagnosis-related group (DRG). The higher the relative weight, the larger the payment to the facility. Relative weights are published in the final prospective payment system rule.

Measure used in health care cost accounting and data analysis that links the amount of personnel time, medical resources, and cost to care for a diagnosis-related group (DRG). If the RWP is higher, then more hospital resources are needed to care for that disease or injury. Also called ambulatory weighted unit .

Monetary dollar amount that indicates the average work of a physician of average efficiency relative to a given standard.

Person who files a qui tam suit on behalf of the U.S. government. See qui tam action, qui tam provision, and whistleblower .

To disclose a patient’s protected health information (PHI). See authorization form and consent form for mandates required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Data that include truthful written or oral allegations or other material facts that might cause a noninterested third party to think there is reason to believe a specific set of data exists (e.g., false claims submitted for noncovered or miscoded services).