Clean-claim rate benchmarks for practices and labs in 2026

A 95% clean-claim rate used to be the industry high-five. For labs processing thousands of accessions, that leftover 5% is a material cash leak.

Benchmark by segment: physician practices should target 97%+, multi-specialty groups 96%+, and independent labs 98%+ with specialty edit packs.

Measure rejects separately from denials. Clearinghouse rejects are a scrubbing problem; payer denials are a policy and documentation problem.