Relative weight reflects the cost of caring for a patient in a particular category with a diagnosis-related group (DRG).

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Relative weight is a measure used in the U.S. Medicare reimbursement system that reflects the average cost of treating a patient within a specific DRG category. It takes into account the resources needed to provide inpatient hospital services, including the length of stay, intensity of care, and type of treatment required. A higher relative weight indicates that a given DRG is associated with higher costs, which influences how much Medicare pays hospitals for that care.

Relative Weight Reflects the Cost of Caring for a Patient