The first quarter of the year flew by, and we want to take this opportunity to share why we are excited about the potential for progress on the DP AI reimbursement and market access fronts in 2026. 

 

At the DPA Reimbursement Task Force, our goal is clear: to ensure the incredible innovations we see in the lab are matched by sustainable financial models. 

 

Our mission remains our North Star: To define and shape the pathway to reimbursement for digital pathology solutions, enabling broad market access and delivering life-changing value to patients and stakeholders.

 

In both market analysis and academic literature, the lack of adequate reimbursement is consistently identified as a critical barrier to the clinical adoption of digital pathology1,2. We believe the DPA has a key role to play in moving us forward. Visit this link for more details about the DPA Reimbursement Task Force and a complete list of the current members. 

Setting the Standard: DP & AI Recommendation Statement

 

We are on track to hit one of our most significant milestones - a publication supporting the validation and implementation of AI. We have officially submitted the "Recommendation Statement for the Validation, Implementation, and Clinical Application of Artificial Intelligence within a Clinical Laboratory" for publication. This was a significant collaborative effort by many leading pathologists and market access experts in our DPA community and will be an important foundation to support our pursuit of coverage for digital pathology AI technologies. We are currently in the review phase, and we want to highlight its dual purpose for our members:

 

  1. A Clinical Roadmap: It provides labs with a standardized blueprint for moving AI from a "pilot project" to a routine clinical tool.
  2. The Evidence Base: Crucially, it builds the rigorous evidence required by payers. To secure payment coverage, we must prove not just that AI works, but that it is safe, validated, and essential for patient care.

Strategic Advocacy: Our Partnership with McDermott+

Navigating the complexities of Washington D.C., the AMA and other decision-making authorities requires specialized expertise. That is why the DPA has partnered with McDermott+, a premier healthcare consulting firm. McDermott+ Principal, Deborah Godes, was a featured speaker at our Task Force update at Pathology Visions last year (Access Recorded Session Here).

 

McDermott+ will serve as our strategic eyes and ears, monitoring shifting trends within CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), the AMA (American Medical Association), Congress, and other key policymakers. Importantly, the McDermott engagement will enable DPA to become an active and recognized stakeholder by promoting advocacy positions supporting coding, coverage, payment, and adoption of digital pathology technologies and infrastructure through official comment and direct agency engagement.  By working with their team, we are no longer just reacting to policy - we are proactively influencing and shaping the future reimbursement framework. This partnership ensures that when new codes are created or payment structures are debated, the voice of the digital pathology community is front and center.

Key Task Force Takeaways

  • AI Publication Pending: Our comprehensive recommendation statement on AI validation is currently under review, set to provide the evidence base needed for future payment requests.
  • Strategic Partnership: Our collaboration with McDermott+ strengthens our advocacy efforts, allowing us to proactively shape CMS and AMA policy.

The Road Ahead

 

2026 is not a year for "wait and see." It is a year for tangible, measurable progress. We have the technology, we have the passion, and now, we are finalizing the financial and regulatory infrastructure to make digital pathology the global standard of care.

 

We are stronger when we move together. Let’s make this the year that the value of digital pathology is fully recognized and rewarded. 

 

Look for regular updates from the team as we move through the year. 

 

Forward together,

The DPA Reimbursement Task Force

References:

  1. Zarella, M. D., McClintock, D. S., Batra, H., et al. (2023). Artificial intelligence and digital pathology: clinical promise and deployment considerations. Journal of Medical Imaging, 10(5). 
  2. Bessen, J.L., et al. (2025). Perspectives on Reducing Barriers to the Adoption of Digital and Computational Pathology Technology by Clinical Labs. Diagnostics, 15(7), 794.