CLIA program; fee schedule revision--HCFA. General notice with comment period.

This notice updates the certificate fees for laboratories established under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) consistent with the methodology set forth in 42 CFR part 493. Section 353 (m) of the Public health Service Act requires that fees be collected to recoup costs of general administration of the CLIA Program. By economizing at every opportunity, the CLIA program has managed to maintain the fees established in 1992 and has absorbed all increases in costs. Revisions to the fees are necessary because the current fees are no longer sufficient to support the administration of the CLIA program. This restructuring of fees will move equitably distribute fees across all sizes and complexity of laboratories. For purposes of simplification, this notice announces a flat fee of $100 for a certificate of registration.