New Healthcare Law Cuts Clinical Laboratory Test Fee Schedule by 1.75% Through 2015
But ACLA’s Alan Mertz says clinical pathology test volume may increase because of other elements of this comprehensive makeover of the nation’s health system
Two provisions in the new healthcare legislation signed into law on March 23 by President Obama will have a direct effect on clinical laboratories, said Alan Mertz, President of the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA). One provision is an across-the-board 1.75% cut to the clinical lab fee schedule in each of the next five years, effective in 2011.
The second provision directly impacting clinical laboratories is called the productivity adjustment and may also lead to a drop in the annual update for clinical laboratory testing. However, Mertz believes that other provisions in the act may prove positive for clinical labs in the coming years. Mertz made these remarks during a conference call late last month.
