Reasonable value measures what the services were actually worth rather than what was billed. Evidence may include amounts accepted from insurers, regional benchmarks, and Medicare or Medicaid rates.
The applicable measure varies substantially by state.
Alternative Names:
Reasonable Value, Fair Value of Services
Why it Matters?
Which measure applies is the highest-value question in medical damages, since the gap between billed charges and accepted amounts is frequently large. States permitting evidence of amounts accepted can reduce claimed specials substantially, while collateral source rules in others bar that evidence entirely. Establishing the applicable rule early determines whether billing analysis is worth the expense.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What evidence establishes reasonable value?
Why determine the applicable rule early?
