MedPAC Mulls Payment Policies’ Effects On Hospital Mergers

Medicare payment policies are encouraging hospital systems to buy up physician practices, leading to higher costs for both the government and beneficiaries, according to data presented to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Thursday (Nov. 7). The share of physicians employed by hospitals increased from 26% in 2012 to 44% in 2018--a result of the vertical integration of hospitals and physician practices, MedPAC staff told the commission. Medicare billing for various types of services, such as chemotherapy administration, echocardiography and office...