On April 9, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted to recommend a pilot program to assess the viability of a shared single-payment system for hospitals and physicians treating the same patient for the same condition, according to CQ HealthBeat.

MedPAC is betting that the move, which would provide a single or bundled payment for a defined list of medical conditions, will encourage hospitals and physicians to work more closely together, increasing efficiency and reducing hospital readmissions. Doctors and hospitals would then share the savings.

Some medical device manufacturers have historically opposed bundled payments, claiming they encourage providers to purchase cheaper systems in order to increase profits, which could negatively affect patient care.