Because Congress has still not reached a deal to fund the federal government, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has canceled this month's meeting.
"Due to the lapse in federal appropriations that began on Oct. 1, 2013, MedPAC staff and commissioners have been unable to engage in regular preparations for the October public meeting," MedPAC's website reads. "As a result, MedPAC's October public meeting is canceled. MedPAC's next public meeting will be Nov. 7 and 8."
In last year's October meeting, MedPAC officials tackled many large issues, including the effects of Medicare geographic payment adjustments for physicians and Medicare payment for outpatient therapy services.
In September, MedPAC held a meeting as a follow-up from its March session. Officials discussed how Medicare will become a growing healthcare budget issue over the next 10 years and how Medicare accountable care organizations should institute some changes, such as reducing the set of quality measures.
More Articles on MedPAC:
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