RVS Update Committee (RUC)

When Medicare transitioned to a physician payment system based on the resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) in 1992, the AMA anticipated the effects of this change and formulated a multispecialty committee. This committee, known as the AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC), provides medicine a voice in shaping Medicare relative values. 

The RUC is a unique multispecialty committee dedicated to describing the resources required to provide physician services which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) considers in developing Relative Value Units (RVUs).

Although the RUC provides recommendations, CMS makes all final decisions about what Medicare payments will be.

CPT® Editorial Panel & RUC Meetings & Calendar

View the calendar for the CPT Editorial Panel process and the AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update process. Requests to attend the RUC meeting must be made at least one month prior to each meeting to ensure space availability.

RUC recommendations, RUC minutes and the RUC vote for each individual CPT® code will be published after the annual release of the Medicare Physician Payment Schedule Proposed Rule.

• An introduction to the RUC (PDF)
• RVS update process booklet (PDF)
• RBRVS and RUC process (PDF)
• RVS process improvements (PDF)
• Progress of the relativity assessment workgroup (PDF)
• The RUC and primary care (PDF)

For more information on the RUC or the RBRVS:

Physician Payment Policy and Systems
American Medical Association
330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 39300
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 464-4736
RUC.Staff@ama-assn.org

• Medicare physician payment schedule
• Overview of the Resource-based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS)
• Medicare RBRVS 2023: The Physicians' Guide
• Quality Payment Program (QPP) specifics
• RBRVS DataManager