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 October agenda were:

  • managing prescription opioid use in Medicare Part D
  • opioids and alternatives in hospital settings: payments, incentives, and Medicare data
  • Medicare payment policies for advanced practice registered nurses and physicians
  • Medicare’s role in the supply of primary care physicians
  • Medicare payments for services provided in inpatient psychiatric facilities
  • episode-based payments and outcome measures under a unified payment system for post-acute care
  • Medicare policy issues related to non-urgent and emergency care

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.