MedPAC approves 1% hospital pay increase

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) yesterday unanimously approved a modest 1 percent increase for inpatient and outpatient payments for fiscal year 2014, AHA News Now reported. Although the American Hospital Association said it supports the increase, it "believe[s] that MedPAC's recommendation for additional reductions for document and coding changes is unwarranted," AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock said. The provider group has strongly opposed cumulative cuts, including sequestration, that would put hospitals in the red next year. Recommendations made by MedPAC, an independent congressional agency, strongly influences Medicare program changes. News brief