MedPAC urged by AHA to scrutinize MA impacts on hospital and post-acute provider finances

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission met April 9 and 10 to discuss several topics, including the relationship between Medicare Advantage enrollment and hospital and post-acute provider finances and payment incentives in the Medicare program. The AHA urged the commission at the meeting to more carefully examine the role that MA plays in enrollees’ access to care and providers’ financial stability, as well as the increasing costs it incurs for the Medicare program. The AHA highlighted that MA imposes materially greater — and inappropriate — administrative burdens on hospitals and beneficiaries they serve as compared to Traditional Medicare. The AHA previously submitted written comments to the commission in October and January letters on these topics.