Two key senators released a bipartisan plan Friday to require Medicare to pay the same rate for the same service, regardless of where the service is delivered.

The “site-neutral” payment reform plan from Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) is aimed at stopping hospitals from getting more money from Medicare for procedures that can be done in less expensive settings, like a physician office or an ambulatory surgical center.

According to Cassidy and Hassan, the plan will save taxpayers billions of dollars. They proposed equalizing payments for some services provided in off-campus hospital outpatient departments with what Medicare pays for physician offices.

“Patients should not be forced to pay higher bills just because their regular doctor’s office........

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