Most nursing homes have certifications under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program, most often via a waiver or microscopy certification. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced plans to improve the CLIA program by switching to email notifications and electronic fee coupons, and CLIA certificates. Nursing homes that perform laboratory testing have until March 1, 2026, to go paperless. With this switch, CMS is moving to a completely electronic system. After this date, paper fee coupons and paper CLIA certificates will no longer be available.
With the switch, you will get:
- Email notifications from CMS
- Your CLIA certificate faster— no more waiting for it to come in the mail*
*This does not apply to CLIA-exempt states or state licensure.
To make the switch, you must:
- Provide written notification to your State Agency by email. Include your facility name, director or owner’s name, CLIA number, director or designee’s signature to help your State Agency make the switch.
-OR-
- Fill out the CMS-116 application form and check the box, “Receive notifications including electronic certificates via email.”