The AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Update Committee (RUC) announced last week that it will add two primary care seats to its 29-member roster, bringing its total to 31 members.

The RUC is a subspecialist dominated and highly influential AMA sub-committee that recommends to CMS how Medicare should value different medical procedures. Formed in 1991, approximately 94% of the committee's 7,000+ recommendations have been ultimately approved by CMS. The AAFP has been lobbying the RUC for several changes, including additional primary care representation and seats for consumers, health insurers and employers. Of the two seats added, one will be represented by the American Geriatrics Society (an AAFP request), the other seat will go to an actively-practicing primary care physician.