To oversimplify: most in primary care in a hospital-based organization use the national RVU (relative value unit) compensation model designed to standardize physician fees, assigning an RVU to the work done determined by codes billed and procedures performed. For example, a simple office visit for a sinus infection is worth just under 1 point, while a visit to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and your recent heart attack yields 1.5 points. I get paid directly on these points (approximately $50 per point). Whether you are a new physician or an experienced one, you all get the same number of points per service. If you are a no-show for an appointment, I make no points. If you do not come in for a visit and want something done over the phone, we resist- because this is extra unbillable work, meaning no RVU points.