The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is transitioning the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program to a fully electronic system, eliminating paper CLIA fee coupons and paper CLIA certificates.

By March 1, 2026, all laboratories and providers that perform laboratory testing — including home health agencies that hold a CLIA certificate — must switch to email notifications to receive electronic CLIA fee coupons and certificates. After that date, CMS will no longer issue or mail paper versions.

Failure to make the switch could result in billing delays, payment issues, or certification problems.

What’s Changing

CMS is modernizing the CLIA program by moving all fee notices and certificates to electronic delivery. Beginning March 1, 2026:

• Paper CLIA fee coupons will no longer be mailed
• Paper CLIA certificates will no longer be issued
• CLIA certification and survey fees must be paid online (checks will no longer be accepted)

This change applies nationwide, except in CLIA-exempt states or where state licensure replaces CLIA requirements.

What Home Health Agencies Need to Do

If your home health agency performs any laboratory testing that requires a CLIA certificate, you must ensure CMS has a valid email address on file.

To switch to paperless delivery, providers should either:

• Email the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Laboratory Licensing Unit at LABSTAFF@ahca.myflorida.com, or
• Contact your accreditation organization (for accredited laboratories), which can update or add email addresses on your behalf.

CMS recommends using a business email address accessible to multiple staff members to ensure continuity and avoid missed notices. If you have already transitioned to electronic notifications, no further action is required.

CMS, state agencies, and accreditation organizations will provide limited follow-up assistance after the deadline; however, agencies that fail to act may experience administrative disruptions.

HCAF encourages home health providers to coordinate internally with compliance, clinical, and administrative staff to ensure a smooth transition.