As expected, the advisory arm of the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services Thursday recommended that Congress freeze payment rates
for skilled nursing facilities for fiscal year 2009.
In proposing a 0% update, the Medicare Payment and
Advisory Commission (MedPAC) followed its draft recommendations issued last
month. Skilled nursing facilities received a 3.3% increase in the market basket
update for fiscal year 2008. The market basket represents annual cost-of-living
increases.
Also Thursday, MedPAC recommended a freeze for home
health agencies and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. It recommended an
estimated 3% increase in payment rates for hospitals.