[September 22, 2014]

Nashville Health Care Council Hosts Discussion with MedPAC Executive Director

Nearly 250 member executives attended a Nashville Health Care Council briefing last week with Dr. Mark Miller, executive director, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), a nonpartisan federal agency that advises the U.S. Congress on Medicare payment, quality and access issues.

During the discussion, Miller detailed Medicare spending patterns and the acceleration of beneficiary growth.

"Budget pressure exists, despite a slowdown," he said, noting the impending cost pressures that the expected more than 80 million Medicare beneficiaries by 2030 would create on the federal budget.

Miller also emphasized MedPAC's dedication to collaborating with providers to create an environment in which multiple payment models can succeed.

View event photos on Flickr.
Photo credit: (c) 2014, Donn Jones.

"Today, payment models vary in terms of quality benchmarks and risk, and no one model is best for every market," Miller said. "The Commission is exploring ways to establish common benchmarks, unify payment systems, streamline quality measurement, create common risk adjustments, and provide regulatory relief for providers taking risks. We aren't just considering Medicare, but how Medicare intersects with Medicaid and private payors."

Miller briefed Council members on the Commission's evaluation of the different payment models and ways of incentivizing providers, as well as its review of the Medicare benefits package. The Commission's long-term and short-term diretion includes analysis and recommendations around ACO, fee for service and Medicare Advantage models.

"Our members work within the Medicare system on a daily basis across the country, and MedPAC's guidance to Congress around Medicare payment, quality and access plays a critical role in influencing that landscape. Dr. Miller's comments on the commission's key initiatives offered Council executives an insightful look into the future of the program," said Caroline Young, Council president.

Today's program was presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. Supporting sponsors were Bass, Berry & Sims, Cressey & Company, LifePoint Hospitals and SpecialtyCare.

About Dr. Mark Miller

Mark Miller, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), a nonpartisan federal agency that advises the U.S. Congress on Medicare payment, quality and access issues. Miller has more than 20 years of health policy experience and has held several policy, research and management positions in health care, including assistant director of health and human resources at the Congressional Budget Office; deputy director of health plans at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; health financing branch chief at the Office of Management and Budget; and senior research associate at the Urban Institute. He earned a Ph.D. in public policy analysis from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

About the Nashville Health Care Council

The Nashville Health Care Council, founded in 1995 as an affiliate of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville's position as the nation's health care industry capital. Worldwide, Nashville's health care industry generates more than 400,000 jobs and $70 billion in annual revenue. The industry is Nashville's largest and fastest growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.

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