MedPAC discusses indirect medical education payments, readmissions

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission yesterday and today discussed a number of issues, including ways indirect medical education payments could be reallocated so that IME adjustments would apply to both inpatient and outpatient care. The commission considered the impact modifications to the IME program would have on hospitals’ Medicare payments and the potential for a performance-based component within the program. Among other issues, the commission examined MedPAC’s evaluation of Medicare’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program; a value incentive program for post-acute care providers; and the effects of Medicare Advantage “spillover” on Medicare fee-for-service spending and coding.