The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has issued its annual report to Congress.

This year’s report examines:

  • how Medicare payment incentives affect federal spending and the delivery of care and how those incentives can be improved
  • the challenges beneficiaries encounter when deciding on their enrollment in Medicare
  • how Medicare identifies improper payments – and how it can do so more effectively
  • the association between enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans and provider finances
  • access to selected palliative care services under Medicare’s hospice benefit

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.

Learn more about MedPAC’s analysis of these issues and its recommendations for addressing some of them from this MedPAC news release, which summarizes the report, and MedPAC’s Report to the Congress:  Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System.