News sources are reporting that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted unanimously on January 16, 2014, to recommend that Congress narrow the differences in what Medicare pays providers depending on where a service is delivered.  According to reports, adoption of MedPAC’s recommendation would result in a 0.6 percent drop in Medicare revenue for hospitals and would reduce Medicare spending and beneficiary cost-sharing by $1.1 billion annually.  MedPAC is an independent Congressional agency that was established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to advise Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program.

A transcript reflecting this vote is expected to be published soon on MedPAC’s website.  The firm will continue to monitor this development.

Reporter, Ramsey Prather, Atlanta, + 1 404 572 4624, rprather@kslaw.com