NYSCLA Alert to Laboratories (September 2026)

CMS Published the Preliminary Weighted Median Private Payors for Lab Tests

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (Last updated: Sep 22 2026 15:03)

The Centers for Medeicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the preliminary weighted median private payor rates for clinical laboratory tests on September 21, 2026. These preliminary rates will be used to set final payment rates for the 2027 Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS).  CMS' summary states that 186 clinical laboratory CPT codes have a higher weighted median compared to the current year (2026) CLFS rate, 169 codes have an equal weighted median compared to the current year (2026) CLFS rate, and 1,171 codes have a lower weighted median compared to the current year (2026) CLFS rate.

CMS is accepting public comments on the preliminary rates for thirty days, and expects to finalize the fee schedule in November 2026, with the final payment rates to be effective on January 1, 2027. Please see the CMS fact sheet on payment rates here and the preliminary fee schedule will be posted here.

NYSCLA will continue its advocacy efforts to combat these dramatic reductions to the CLFS rates, including working with national advocacy associations.