MedPAC considers significant changes to Medicare payments to acute care hospitals, long-term care hospitals, and physician groups for certain services

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (“MedPAC”) during its December 12-13, 2013 meeting discussed potentially significant changes to certain Medicare payments to acute care hospitals, long-term care hospitals, and physician groups. One change would be to eliminate or reduce the payment differences for services in 66 Ambulatory Payment Classifications furnished in hospital outpatient departments and physician offices.  Another proposal would equalize payments to acute care hospitals and long-term care hospitals for services furnished to non-chronically critically ill patients.  MedPAC will vote on these proposed changes at its January 2014 meeting.   The agenda, briefs, presentation, and transcription for MedPAC’s December 12-13^th meeting is available at http://www.medpac.gov/meetings.cfm.