American Clinical Laboratory Association

In 2014, Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) to reform payment to clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS). CMS’s flawed implementation led to rates that fail to reflect private payer rates as intended, years of payment cuts, and a lack of recognition of rising inflation. ACLA urges Congress to protect access to quality laboratory diagnostics and services by enacting long-term PAMA reform through the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act.

Learn More

CMS will open the next Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) data reporting period from May 1 through July 31, 2026. Many laboratories may be required to report private payor data during this window, based on activity from January 1 to June 30, 2025.

If your organization qualifies as an applicable laboratory, you are responsible for submitting this information to CMS. Be sure to review the updated requirements and confirm whether you need to report to avoid potential compliance issues.

ACLA’s 2026 advocacy agenda demonstrates the association’s commitment to advancing policy in the areas of reimbursement, regulation, infrastructure for preparedness and response, innovation, and public affairs. The advocacy agenda summarizes our goals to expand access to the highest quality clinical laboratory services, improve patient outcomes, and advance the next generation of personalized care.

Accurate, reliable test results help provide a complete picture of health and align all players in the health system towards patient-centered care.