In 2019, Congress directed the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC ) - the group that advises the legislature on Medicare payment issues – to explore new methods for collecting the laboratory payment data used in setting Medicare fees. Many in the laboratory community, including AACC, argued that the current payment rates are inaccurate since they are largely based on private sector fees paid to large commercial laboratories.

Earlier this spring, MedPAC mentioned that it may recommend that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) adopt a new, streamlined survey process that would make it easier for laboratories to provide payment information and would capture data from a more diverse group of testing facilities. The advisory panel report is expected to be released this month. AACC and the other members of the laboratory community will continue to work towards the development of a fairer, more accurate lab payment structure.