MedPAC’s commissioners held their latest public meetings on Thursday, September 4 and Friday, September 5.   The subjects on the meetings’ agenda were:

  • Medicare payment operations and improving payment accuracy
  • oversight needed to ensure Medicare’s sustainability: a report from the Government Accountability Office
  • context for Medicare payment policy
  • access to hospice and certain services under the hospice benefit for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer
  • the association between changes in Medicare Advantage enrollment and hospital finances

Go here for summaries of the issues and key points and links to the presentations delivered by MedPAC staff and go here a transcript of the two-day session.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission 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.  Find its web page here.