Established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33), the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) advises the U.S. Congress on all matters of Medicare. This independent agency enjoys an expansive mandate — from advising Congress on payments to private health plans participating in the Medicare program to the assessment of access to, and quality of, Medicare treatment.

MedPAC’s 17 members are appointed to three-year terms by the Comptroller General. The commission meets publicly to discuss policy issues and prepare recommendations to Congress. MedPAC may consider information contained within staff research, presentations by policy experts, and comments from interested parties.

MedPAC issues two reports each year (March and June). The March 2011 report contains 13 chapters, including one chapter that provides context for documenting the rise in Medicare and total health care spending nationwide, another setting forth the Commission’s framework for assessing the integrity of Medicare’s payment process, nine chapters relating to Medicare payments and program integrity concerns, one chapter discussing the Medicare Advantage plans, and a final chapter on Medicare prescription drug coverage.

The entire report, consisting of more than 350 pages, can be found HERE.

The Commission’s schedule of public meetins can be found HERE.

In a recent press release announcing the newest members to the commission, Gene L. Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated: “Policymakers continue to rely on MedPAC’s expert advice, and with the passage of health care reform, MedPAC’s role will continue to be particularly important. I am pleased to report that, once again, we had many qualified applicants for MedPAC. The four new individuals selected will bring impressive credentials and valuable experience and insights to the commission.”