CMS Announces New Preliminary Medicare Payment Rates for Laboratory Services, Saving Taxpayers an Estimated $1 Billion Annually

CMS announced preliminary 2027 Medicare payment rates for clinical laboratory services on September 21, 2026. The agency said the proposed rates would better align Medicare payments with private-payer prices under the clinical laboratory fee schedule and could save taxpayers an estimated $1 billion each year. The announcement focuses specifically on laboratory service pricing, making it distinct from broader previously covered Medicare payment and reform actions.