CMS issues preliminary clinical laboratory fee schedule payment rates

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released the preliminary Medicare payment rates for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and advanced diagnostic laboratory tests in calendar year 2018. The rates are based on a weighted median of private insurer payment rates, as required by a 2016 final rule implementing changes to the Medicare clinical laboratory fee schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. Comments on the preliminary payment determinations may be emailed to CMS at CLFS_Annual_Public_Meeting@cms.hhs.gov until Oct. 23. For more on the final rule, see the earlier AHA Regulatory Advisory for members.