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 November agenda were:

  • congressional request on health care provider consolidation
  • increasing the supply of primary care physicians
  • redesigning the Medicare Advantage quality bonus program
  • reforming the benchmarks in the Medicare Advantage payment system
  • considerations for plans serving low-income beneficiaries in the restructuring of Medicare Part D
  • post-acute care spending under the Medicare Shared Savings Program

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.