In This Issue:



• Now open: 2026 Laboratory Wage & Morale Survey
• Examining utilization limits for CPT 87798
• Discussing the cost of instrument downtime
• PAMA reporting window opens May 1
• New strategic partnership to support lab RCM
• Our latest roster of most placeable candidates
• Upcoming conferences

On-Demand Webinar: The True Cost of Instrument Downtime -

What Labs Should Know Before Signing a Service Contract

Instrument downtime and preventable equipment failures are among the most costly challenges facing clinical laboratories today. Yet many of the underlying causes trace back to gaps in routine maintenance, documentation, and service strategy.

During this webinar, experienced instrument service engineers share what they see most often in the field while supporting chemistry analyzers and LC-MS platforms, including equipment conditions and training oversights that raise red flags for inspectors and contribute directly to downtime and lost revenue.

Learning objectives:

• Identify common equipment-related red flags auditors and inspectors look for, including documentation, training records, and general instrument condition.
• Practical strategies to extend the life of chemistry and LC-MS instruments, including preventive maintenance and proper care of peripheral equipment.
• Simple troubleshooting tips to better understand when you truly do need to call in your service provider.

VIEW HERE

2026 Wage and Morale Survey of Lab Professionals: Open Now

Lighthouse is conducting our fifth annual anonymous wage and morale survey to better understand the impact staffing issues and wages have on individuals within the lab industry. Our surveys have shown significant improvements in both areas during the past half-decade, and we hope this year's data continues to support these positive trends.

The survey takes roughly five minutes to complete and primarily consists of questions on how current staffing and compensation levels at your lab are impacting morale.

Start the survey HERE>

PAMA Private Payer Data Reporting Begins May 1

If your lab received more than $12,500 in Medicare CLFS payments between January 1 and June 30, 2025, you are required to report private payer data to CMS between May 1 and July 31, 2026. This includes hospital outreach labs, independent labs, and POLs.

Here's how your lab should prepare:



✔️ Confirm whether you meet the reporting threshold

✔️ Identify all applicable private payer data sources

✔️ Validate data integrity and documentation before submission

✔️ Align internal teams (finance, billing, compliance)

Reporting may feel routine, but the downstream impact will have a serious impact on future reimbursement rates. With limited guidance from CMS heading into this cycle, preparation will matter more than ever.

If you’re unsure where to start or want a second set of eyes on your reporting readiness, our RCM experts are available to offer guidance and ensure your submission is accurate.

CMS Adds New Considerations for Remote Cytology Workflows

As remote diagnostics continue to evolve, staying aligned with CMS expectations is critical to avoid compliance risk while preserving the efficiency gains these models provide. A rundown of key changes can be found below:

Remote ROSE now tied to CLIA location requirements

• CMS clarified that performing remote Rapid Adequacy Assessments (including virtual slide review) requires a separate CLIA certificate for the off-site location where the pathologist is reviewing.

Workload impact remains unchanged

• Adequacy assessments will not count as a separate examination for workload limit calculations.

Cell block review flexibility

• For surgical pathology cell blocks, CMS noted remote review may still be performed without a separate CLIA certificate, provided it is directed by the laboratory director.

If your lab is leveraging remote cytology or considering it, now is the time to reassess your structure.

Celebrating Our Continued Growth

We're excited to show off our new signage at the Lighthouse Lab Services office in Carrollton, Texas, which is home base for many on our Instrument Services Team.

It's been a long time coming, but it looks great!

The Lighthouse "Candidate Corner" is a recurring monthly spotlight featuring some of the great lab professionals our recruiters work with each day. Check out a quick preview of one individual below, then click over to our blog to see all five candidates for April.

If you'd like to learn more about anyone listed in this section or inquire about their ability to relocate, email us directly here!

Candidate: Molecular Lab Manager

• Education: 
• Ph.D in Genetics

• Certification:
• MB(ASCP)

• Preferred Location:
• Houston, TX.

View all candidates HERE>

Payer Alert: CPT 87798 Reimbursement & Utilization Limits

We've identified a significant shift in how CPT 87798 is being reimbursed in non-MolDx MACs (NGS, Novitas, First Coast). Labs and pathology groups billing for this code are now being impacted by strict utilization limits.

What’s happening:

• Reimbursement is being capped at 2 units per claim
• Additional units are reduced or denied at the line level
• Remark Code N35 applied: “Payment adjusted based on program integrity/utilization review”

What we know:

• MACs are citing “reasonable and necessary” standards under Medicare policy
• No formal national policy or LCD change has been identified
• This is not a billing error; it reflects payer-driven utilization controls tied to medical necessity.

What to do now:

• Review unit utilization for 87798
• Strengthen documentation supporting medical necessity
• Expect increased scrutiny

Our RCM team is actively monitoring this trend. If you’re seeing unexpected reductions, it’s likely not isolated. Reach out to our team directly or let us know below if you need help assessing impact or responding.

Momentum Building for Potential MolDx Expansion

As CMS evaluates how to strengthen program integrity and address fraud, the downstream impact on laboratories will be significant. Greater standardization may bring clarity, but it also introduces new layers of scrutiny and reimbursement risk that labs cannot afford to overlook.

In this new article from GenomeWeb, Lighthouse's Ann Lambrix is featured among a host of RCM experts offering their predictions for the future and the best path forward to maintain compliance and reimbursement.

From our vantage point, this isn’t a “wait and see” moment. Labs should be proactively evaluating how expanded MolDx oversight could affect test menus, documentation requirements, and payer strategy well before policies shift.

Read more HERE> (subscription required)

Lighthouse Lab Services is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with RevSpring, a leading provider of patient engagement and payment solutions recognized for its innovation and performance across the healthcare industry.

This partnership enhances Lighthouse’s ability to support laboratories and health systems across the full continuum of care, from initial patient access through final payment. RevSpring’s data-driven solutions deliver personalized, omnichannel engagement that helps guide patients to the right care, improve communication, and streamline financial interactions.

Through this collaboration, Lighthouse clients gain access to advanced tools that improve patient engagement, increase data accuracy, reduce administrative burden, and strengthen financial performance. RevSpring’s seamless integration with EHRs, practice management systems, and other technologies ensures minimal disruption while maximizing impact.

Together, Lighthouse Lab Services and RevSpring are helping laboratories and physicians create more connected and patient-centered experiences, supporting sustainable growth in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

Learn more about how RevSpring supports labs here>

COLA Laboratory Enrichment Forum

• May 6-8, 2026
• Nashville
• Learn more here

Q1 Diagnostic Coverage & Reimbursement Conference

• May 13-14, 2026
• Chicago
• Learn more here

This email is brought to you as a service from Lighthouse Lab Services to provide quality and timely information that can improve your laboratory operations. We strive to maintain our position as the country’s premier lab consulting firm and support your success.