Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule

What’s the CLFS?

We pay for most clinical diagnostic laboratory tests (CDLTs) based off the weighted median of private payor rates (fee schedule). Typically, we update the payment rates using private payor rates every 3 years. This is based on The Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA).

These amounts are based on information laboratories submit during a data collection period. There are 3 steps in the process:

  1. Collect data (data collection period): Laboratories submit applicable information.
  2. Analyze data (reviewing window): Laboratories and their reporting entities determine whether they meet the majority of Medicare revenues and low expenditure thresholds. Be sure to review and validate applicable information before you report it.
  3. Report data (data reporting period): Reporting entities report applicable information to us. The next data reporting period is January 1–March 31, 2024. Learn more about reporting data.

What’s a private payor?

These are private payors:

  • A health insurance issuer
  • A group health plan
  • A Medicare Advantage Plan
  • A Medicaid Managed Care Organization

What happens next?

After the next data reporting period, there’s a 3-year data reporting cycle for CDLT. We update the rates under the CLFS every 3 years.

When are the rates effective?

We’ve extended the statutory phase-in of payment reductions resulting from implementing the private payor rate.

Year

Data Collection Period

Data Reporting Period

Reduction Cap

2020

January 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016

January 1, 2017 – May 30, 2017

10%

2021

January 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016

January 1, 2017 – May 30, 2017

0.0%

2022

January 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016

January 1, 2017 – May 30, 2017

0.0%

2023

January 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016

January 1, 2017 – May 30, 2017

0.0%

2024

January 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016

January 1, 2017 – May 30, 2017

15%

2025

January 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019

January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024

15%

2026

January 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019

January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024

15%

Contact us

For more information

Page Last Modified:
04/06/2023 01:58 PM