Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP
Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare
The MedPAC July 2022 Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program (208 pages) provides information on national health care and Medicare spending as well as Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-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.
MedPAC began producing its annual Data Book at the suggestion of congressional staff. Some of the information it contains is derived from MedPAC’s March and June reports to the Congress; other information is unique to the Data Book. The information is presented in tables and figures with brief discussions.
This Data Book is packed with information and charts. There’s something for everyone:
- National health care and Medicare spending
- Medicare beneficiary demographics
- Medicare beneficiary and other payer financial liability
- Dual-eligible beneficiaries
- Alternative payment models
- Acute inpatient services
General short-term hospitals
Inpatient psychiatric facilities
- Ambulatory care
Physicians and other health professionals
Hospital outpatient services
Ambulatory surgical centers
Low-value care
- Post-acute care
Skilled nursing facilities
Home health services
Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
Long-term care hospitals
- Medicare Advantage
- Prescription drugs
- Other services
Dialysis
Hospital
Clinical Laboratory