Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule

2005

• Payment Determinations for 2006
• Changes to 2005 Fee Schedule

2004

• Payment Determinations for 2005
• Changes to 2004 Fee Schedule

2003

• Payment Determinations for 2004
• Changes to 2003 Fee Schedule

2002

• Payment Determinations for 2003 Fee Schedule
• Payment Determinations for New Clinical Laboratory Tests for 2003

2001

• Payment Determinations for 2002
• Changes to 2001 Fee Schedule

Definitions

Cross Walking
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) defines the "cross walking" payment methodology in the June 29, 2001 Federal Register Notice [HCFA-1186-N] as follows: "We determine a new test to be similar to an existing test, multiple existing test codes or a portion of an existing test code. The new test code is then assigned the related existing local fee schedule amounts and resulting national limitation amount. In some instances, we determine that a test may only equate to a portion of an existing test, and, in those instances, we specify payment at an appropriate percentage of the payment for the existing test."

Gap Filling
CMS defines "gap filling" payment methodology in the June 29, 2001 Federal Register Notice [HCFA-1186-N] as follows: "Gap filling is used when no comparable, existing test is available. We then instruct each Medicare carrier to determine a payment amount for its area for use in the first year. Then, we take the carrier-specific amounts to establish a national limitation amount for the following year."