Summary: The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) applauded Congress for passing a short-term spending bill that includes a one-year delay on Medicare payment cuts to clinical laboratory services, protecting patient access to essential diagnostic testing.
Takeaways:
- The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 delays Medicare cuts of up to 15% for 800 laboratory services, which were set to take effect in January 2025.
- This marks the fifth time Congress has postponed Medicare payment reductions, recognizing the potential harm to patient care and diagnostic innovation.
- ACLA continues to advocate for long-term Medicare payment reform to ensure the stability of clinical laboratories and safeguard timely, accurate diagnostic services for patients.
The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) commended Congress for including much-needed relief from looming Medicare payment cuts to clinical laboratory services in the short-term spending package passed on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act
The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 provides a critical one-year reprieve from Medicare cuts of up to 15% for approximately 800 laboratory services that were slated to take effect in January 2025. Without this delay, these drastic cuts would have jeopardized patient access to vital diagnostic testing across the country and slowed the pace of diagnostic innovation. This action marks the fifth time Congress has delayed Medicare cuts to clinical laboratories, following multiple years of deep reductions.
“We are pleased that Congress has delayed pending reductions, recognizing the harm repeated Medicare reductions would have on the nation’s health care system that relies on clinical laboratory testing every day to inform patient care,” says ACLA President Susan Van Meter. “This is a welcome step to ensuring patients can continue to rely on timely and accurate diagnostic services.”
ACLA says it appreciates the steadfast support from bipartisan and bicameral members of Congress who continue to champion long-term payment reform, working together to secure a lasting solution to stabilize the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule.
“There is widespread and bipartisan recognition that long-term reform is urgently needed,” added Van Meter. “A sustainable reform of the Medicare payment system for clinical laboratory services is vital to protect and enhance patient care, foster innovation, and ensure the stability of clinical laboratories nationwide.”