MedPAC Expected to Recommend Zero Update for Hospice in FY2014

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) preliminarily approved a recommendation on Dec. 7, 2012, that Congress eliminate the market basket update for Medicare hospice payments in fiscal year (FY) 2014. MedPAC’s rationale for the recommendation hinged on the determination by MedPAC staff that hospice services are accessible to most beneficiaries, and that hospice margins and…