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:

  • two Medicare payment strategies to improve price competition and value for Part B drugs: reference pricing and binding arbitration
  • options for slowing the growth of Medicare fee-for-service spending for emergency department service.
  • Medicare’s role in the supply of primary care physicians
  • evaluating an episode-based payment system for post-acute care
  • mandated report: changes in post-acute and hospice care following the implementation of the long-term care hospital dual payment rate structure

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.