Add-on payment for diagnostic laboratory tests

Section 1834(x)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(x)(1)) is amended— (1) by striking hospitals.— and all that follows through In the case and inserting “ hospitals.— (1) In general (A) Payment for rural emergency hospital services In the case; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Payment for diagnostic laboratory tests In the case of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and other diagnostic laboratory tests that are not covered OPD services (as defined in section 1833(t)(1)(B)) furnished by a rural emergency hospital (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(2)) on or after January 1, 2027, the amount of payment for such tests shall be equal to the amount of payment that would otherwise apply under the applicable fee schedule, increased by 5 percent to reflect the higher costs incurred by such hospitals, and shall include the application of any copayment amount determined under this part as if such increase had not occurred.