The government agency that advises Congress on Medicare payment matters met publicly in Washington, D.C. last week.
During the virtual meeting, members of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission discussed:
- reforming Medicare’s wage index system
- addressing the high prices of drugs covered under Medicare Part B
- a prototype design for a post-acute care prospective payment system
- favorable selection and future directions for Medicare Advantage payment policy
- aligning fee-for-service payment rates across ambulatory care settings
MedPAC is an independent congressional agency that advises Congress on issues involving Medicare. While its recommendations are not binding on either Congress or the administration, MedPAC is highly influential in governing circles and its recommendations often find their way into legislation, regulations, and new public policy. Because so many patients of community safety-net hospitals are insured by Medicare, MedPAC’s deliberations are especially important to those hospitals.
For a look at the agenda for the two-day meeting and to find the presentations for each of these subjects, go here.
