AHA comments on certain MedPAC proposals for EDs, post-acute care

Dec 04, 2017 - 09:50 AM

The AHA Friday expressed concern with certain policy options discussed by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission at its November meeting. “We are primarily concerned about MedPAC’s potential recommendations regarding site-neutral payments to hospital-based off-campus [emergency departments] in urban areas, and payments to [post-acute care] providers,” wrote Ashley Thompson, AHA senior vice president for public policy analysis and development. “The proposals set forth in both of these areas are premature and have not been completely thought through or analyzed. We are specifically concerned that the site-neutral recommendations would be disruptive to providers, patients and communities alike and that the PAC payment recommendations are not feasible to implement.” AHA also continued to urge that the commission use data and experience from the field before advocating for major changes to the new Merit-based Incentive Payment System for physicians.

Related News Articles

Headline
Hospital-at-home bill considered during House Ways and Means Committee markup
The AHA submitted a statement Sept. 17 for a House Ways and Means Committee markup session on a series of health care and other bills. Specifically, the AHA…
Headline
AHA supports bill expanding in-network providers within MA plans 
The AHA Sept. 15 expressed support for the Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act, legislation that would require Medicare Advantage plans to cover…
Headline
AHA urges Aetna to rescind ‘level of severity inpatient payment’ policy
The AHA Sept. 15 urged Aetna to rescind its recently announced “level of severity inpatient payment” policy, saying that it “could erode the transparency…
Perspective
Hospital Outpatient Departments Are Different from Independent Physician Offices
Public
Every health care provider strives to deliver their patients the best possible care, but not all providers offer the same level or complexity of care. Current…
Headline
Study: MA beneficiaries’ hospital stays longer than those under Traditional Medicare
A JAMA internal medicine study published Sept. 8 found that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have been experiencing longer…
Headline
Study finds less than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with OUD receive standard care
A Health Affairs study published Sept. 2 found that less than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder received standard care in alignment with…