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PA Dynamic Rendering

Preferred Medical Laboratory



Effective March 1, 2025, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama will designate Labcorp as the exclusive Preferred Medical Laboratory Plus* (PMLP) provider in the PML network. As the only designated PMLP provider, Labcorp is working with us to maintain a high standard of performance and quality, while providing low costs to our members. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with Labcorp and its services. Find out more on Labcorp’s website.  

The PML network will include other contracted laboratories, but American Esoteric Laboratories (AEL), BioReference and Quest Diagnostic Laboratories will no longer be in-network effective March 1, 2025. Click here to view the out-of-network laboratory providers and the Preferred Medical Laboratory FAQs. For help in using AlabamaBlue.com/FindaDoctor to find in-network laboratories, view “Find an In-Network Lab.” You can also view our Preferred Labs listing, which is updating regularly

Impact

If you are currently using Labcorp or another laboratory that will still be in-network effective March 1, 2025, this change does not affect your practice.

This change does not affect Preferred Physician Laboratories (PPLs). However, any tests not processed in the in-office laboratory must be sent to an in-network PML. If you are processing laboratory services in-house and have a moderate to complex CLIA, this does not affect your practice. 

This change also does not affect provider practices using in-network hospital-based laboratories as their reference laboratory. Keep in mind, this is dependent on what entity is submitting the claim. 

As a reminder, Preferred Medical Doctors (PMDs) and advanced practice providers are required to refer to in-network laboratories.

Acronyms to Know

  • PPL - Preferred Physician Laboratory - This network change does not impact PPLs. PPLs are laboratories owned and operated by a physician office with a moderate or higher complexity CLIA. They are credentialed and contracted as PPLs, and the services are billed under the physician's NPI and tax ID.
  • PML - Preferred Medical Laboratory - The PML network is Blue Cross and Blue Shield    of Alabama's existing network. This network consists of laboratories that have met the enrollment criteria and agreed to our contractual standards and obligations as a laboratory provider.
  • PMLP - Preferred Medical Laboratory Plus - The PMLP is a designation that only full-service national clinical laboratories are eligible for based on the outcome of a request for proposal. A PMLP provider has agreed to partner with Blue Cross to meet higher performance and quality metrics and access standards, as well as provide low out-of-pocket cost for Blue Cross' members.

“Why LabCorp?”

Blue Cross is committed to providing members with access to quality care and managing overall healthcare costs, which often includes ancillary services. 

In 2022, Blue Cross evaluated laboratory services and distributed a request for proposal to four national laboratories: American Esoteric Laboratories (AEL), Quest Diagnostics, BioReference and LabCorp. Each of the laboratory proposals went through a rigorous evaluation process. Labcorp was selected as the exclusive national laboratory because they provided the best overall value (higher performance, quality and access, and low out-of-pocket cost) for our members. 

The exclusive contract with Labcorp offers substantial cost savings, enabling the funding of provider incentive programs and helping to lower member premiums.

Benefits

Labcorp is committed to Alabama.  Key to this commitment their more than 1,900 Alabama employees and centrally located Birmingham laboratory, providing access statewide to the broadest menu of high-quality routine, specialty and STAT laboratory testing services. Members who use this in-network laboratory maximize their lab benefits and minimize their out-of-pocket expenses.

How to Transition

There is no fee to set up laboratory services with Labcorp. Labcorp is contacting practices that need to transition to an in-network lab. 

If you have questions, contact Labcorp by email at PMLPalabama@labcorp.com or by calling 205-581-3500.

Learn More

Click the links below to find information that applies to you.