Lab Costs
Medicare benchmark rates for 13 common lab procedures, ranging from $3.83 to $24.31. Use these as a reference to check whether your bill is fair.
Understanding lab costs
The rates shown above are 2024 CMS Medicare national average payment rates — the amounts the federal government pays providers for each service. They are the most widely published benchmark for what a procedure “should” cost, and commercial insurers use them as a reference point when negotiating their own contracts.
For lab services, commercial insurers typically pay between $4.60 and $48.62 across this category — roughly 1.2 to 2 times Medicare. If you were billed significantly more than the commercial range for your specific procedure, the excess may be negotiable.
Click any procedure above to see its detailed Medicare rate, the typical commercial range, and specific steps for disputing an overcharge.
Rates shown are 2024 CMS Medicare national average payment rates and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual payments vary by geographic area, facility type, and payer contract. This is not medical or financial advice.