Last week the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission met in Washington, D.C. to discuss a number of Medicare payment issues.

The issues on MedPAC’s March agenda were:

• Addressing Medicare Shared Savings Program vulnerabilities
• The role of specialists in alternative payment models and accountable care organizations
• Realigning incentives in Medicare Part D
• Redesigning the Medicare Advantage quality bonus program
• Mandated report: Impact of changes in the 21st Century Cures Act to risk adjustment for Medicare Advantage enrollees
• Improving Medicare’s end-stage renal disease prospective payment system
• Separately payable drugs in the hospital outpatient prospective payment system

MedPAC is an independent congressional agency that advises Congress on issues involving the Medicare program.  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.

Go here for links to the policy briefs and presentations that supported MedPAC’s discussion of these issues.