Which of the following is NOT a component of relative value units (RVUs)?

Relative value units (RVUs) are used in the Medicare physician fee schedule to determine payment for services rendered by physicians. RVUs consist of three primary components: physician work, malpractice expense, and practice expense.

Physician work reflects the time, skill, and effort that the physician invests in providing a service. Malpractice expense accounts for the cost of malpractice insurance and the related risk associated with providing medical services. Practice expense includes the overhead costs associated with running a medical practice, such as office rent, supplies, and staff salaries.

Pharmacy fees, on the other hand, are not part of the RVU calculation. They are typically considered separately in a different context, such as medication management or pharmacy billing practices, and do not directly affect the RVUs assigned to medical services. Therefore, the inclusion of pharmacy fees does not align with the established components of RVUs, making it the correct answer as the option that is not a component of RVUs.