MedPAC Recommends MSNI Implementation

In its March 2026 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommends implementing the Medicare Safety-Net Index (MSNI) and adding $1 billion to the MSNI pool to support hospitals caring for low-income Medicare patients.

MedPAC also recommends:

• For 2027, updating the 2026 Medicare base payment rates for general acute-care hospitals by the amount reflected in current law
• Expanding site-neutral policies to align Medicare's payment rates for similar services across ambulatory settings
• Ensuring payment accuracy and transparency in Medicare Advantage to incentivize plans to improve quality and reduce costs for beneficiaries and taxpayers

The report also includes chapters on Medicare Part D trends, home health payment reforms, dual-eligible special needs plan performance, and broader Medicare program payment and quality issues.

Contact Director of Policy Rob Nelb, MPH, at [email protected] or 202.585.0127 with questions.

In its March 2026 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommends implementing the Medicare Safety-Net Index (MSNI) and adding $1 billion to the MSNI pool to support hospitals caring for low-income Medicare patients.