AHA comments on MedPAC wage index, drug, Medicare Advantage discussions

AHA today submitted comments to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission as the panel considers potential changes to the Medicare hospital wage index, Part B drug payment policies and the Medicare Advantage program. In the letter, AHA agrees with the commission that the current wage index is flawed, but said it continues to have concerns about using non-hospital data to calculate the wage index; presents recommendations to address the skyrocketing cost of drugs; and strongly supports the commission’s work to monitor the accuracy and completeness of MA encounter data.