Act Now on Independent Payment Advisory Board Repeal Legislation

Act Now on Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) Repeal Legislation that was Enacted under the Affordable Care Act

Tomorrow, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Ways and Means Committee, two committees with jurisdiction over Medicare Part B, are holding hearings on H.R. 849, the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act of 2017, which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) created under the Affordable Care Act. Under current law, the IPAB will be triggered when the growth rate in Medicare exceeds target growth rates (as reported by CMS’ Office of the Actuary), and will be responsible for recommending to Congress spending reductions in the Medicare program in order to reduce growth below the target growth rate. Although there have been no members appointed to the IPAB, if the IPAB is triggered, the Secretary of HHS is required to stand in place of the board and submit a proposal for reducing Medicare spending. Any proposal, whether from IPAB or HHS, is subject to a “fast track” legislative implementation process with virtually no oversight, leaving little-to-no room for recourse once IPAB-mandated payment cuts are implemented.

It is paramount that members of Congress act now, before future actuary reports trigger the IPAB and activate payment reductions to Medicare providers. Given the timeliness of the House Committee meetings this week, MGMA has created a template message supporting IPAB repeal that can be found by visiting the MGMA Advocacy Center, where you can contact lawmakers and urge them to support this important legislation.