WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Joseph Pitts (R-PA) today solicited input from members of the health care community on policy changes regarding site-neutral payments, including changes made to certain Medicare hospital reimbursements on a prospective basis (under Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015). As the committee with primary jurisdiction on this issue, the leaders are requesting feedback on policies which would potentially amend or expand the site-neutral provision included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
In the letter to the health care community, Upton and Pitts write, “Given the wide breadth of suggestions, ideas, concerns and proposals shared with the Committee on this issue, we are inviting all interested members of the health care community to provide formal feedback on policies the Committee should examine in the context of both the enactment of this provision of law, as well as other changes to site-neutral payment policies."
The leaders also asked for proposals on how to pay for those suggestions which would lead to an increase in cost for beneficiaries. They continued, “If changes are suggested that would represent an increase in cost to beneficiaries or the Medicare program, in the interest of serving patients, beneficiaries, and taxpayers, we would hope you would also suggest additional policies or payment reforms which would ensure changes are at least budget-neutral, or which would ideally further the solvency of the Medicare program."
Read the full letter online here.
