A Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recently published a brief titled “A Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program”. The Data Book provides information on national health care and Medicare spending as well as Medicare beneficiary demographics, dually eligible beneficiaries, quality of care in the Medicare program, and Medicare beneficiary and other payer liability. It also examines provider settings—such as hospitals and post-acute care—and presents data on Medicare spending, beneficiaries’ access to care in the setting (measured by the number of beneficiaries using the service, number of providers, volume of services, length of stay, or through direct surveys), and the sector’s Medicare profit margins, if applicable. In addition, it covers the Medicare Advantage program and prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, including Part D.