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 and debated:

  • differences in quality measure results across Medicare populations
  • policy options for increasing Medicare payments to primary care clinicians
  • aligning fee-for-service payment rates across ambulatory settings
  • mandated report: evaluation of a prototype design for a post-acute care prospective payment system
  • supporting Medicare safety-net hospitals

MedPAC is an independent congressional agency that advises Congress on issues involving Medicare.  While its recommendations are not binding on 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.

For a look at the agenda for the two-day meeting and to find the presentations for each of these subjects, go here.