CMS has corrected an issue affecting certain Medicare Physician Fee Schedule payments under the Quality Payment Program (QPP). This correction is tied to the 2026 update to the conversion factor for qualifying and nonqualifying Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and will result in automatic claim adjustments for impacted providers.
Accessible Exam Tables and Scales: What the New Federal Rules
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New federal accessibility rules are changing how healthcare facilities must think about exam tables, weight scales, and other diagnostic equipment. These updates are not about convenience or optional upgrades. They are about ensuring that patients who use wheelchairs or have mobility limitations can be weighed, examined, and transferred safely and with dignity—without being examined in their chair or turned away because appropriate equipment is not available.
Two federal actions work together to create these new expectations: updated technical standards from the U.S. Access Board and enforceable legal requirements from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Understanding how they fit together is key for planning, budgeting, and compliance.
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NCTracks, North Carolina Medicaid’s claims and payment system, has identified an issue affecting certain Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) files, also known as 835 files. While the actual Medicaid payments deposited to providers were generally correct, some of the remittance files explaining those payments were not.
NCTracks has corrected the system issue and is regenerating the affected 835 files. If your practice received Medicaid payments earlier this year, it’s important to understand what happened, whether you are affected, and how to handle the corrected files when they become available.
Key Terms Explained
What is an 835?
An 835 is an Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) file. It explains how a Medicaid payment was calculated, including which claims were paid, denied, or adjusted; how much was paid; and why amounts may have been reduced, reversed, or recouped. In short, the 835 is what allows billing systems to post and reconcile Medicaid payments correctly.
What does “out‑of‑balance 835 remittance file” mean?
An 835 is considered out of balance when the total payment amount in the file does not match the sum of the individual claim‑level payments and adjustments listed inside the file. When this happens, it can be difficult or impossible to post payments accurately, reconcile deposits, or trust that the ERA truly reflects the payment received.
What is “negative claim activity”?
Negative claim activity usually includes recoupments, voids, reversals, or adjustments where money is taken back. These transactions are common in Medicaid billing, but they must be calculated precisely. In this case, negative claim activity contributed to the 835 files being out of balance.
Who Is Affected
The issue affects 835 remittance files with check or payment dates between January 6, 2026 and March 10, 2026. If your practice received NC Medicaid payments during this period, your 835 files may be incorrect even if the deposit amount itself appears right.
What NCTracks Is Doing to Fix the Issue
NCTracks has identified and corrected the underlying system problem. To fix the issue, NCTracks is regenerating all affected 835 remittance files.
The regeneration is scheduled to occur on March 12 and March 13, 2026, and the corrected 835 files will be available on or before March 15, 2026. These regenerated files are intended to fully replace the original, out‑of‑balance remittances.
What This Means for Your Practice
Expect replacement 835 files.
The regenerated 835s will replace the original versions and should now balance correctly, including claims with negative adjustments.
Use caution if you already posted payments.
If your billing team already posted payments using the original 835 files, or noticed discrepancies that did not make sense, you may need to reconcile or re‑post those payments using the regenerated files. Practices should also watch carefully for duplicate postings in their practice management or EHR system.
Recommended Next Steps
To avoid compounding errors, practices should not rely on original 835 files with payment dates between January 6 and March 10, 2026. Once the regenerated files are available, download them and reconcile payments carefully, paying close attention to recoupments, takebacks, and adjusted claims.
If amounts still do not reconcile after using the regenerated 835s, contact the NCTracks Provider Call Center or flag the issue internally for audit tracking and follow‑up.
Taking time now to verify and correct posting will help prevent downstream reporting issues, audit concerns, and inaccurate patient or payer balances later.
Early identification and high‑quality care can make a meaningful difference for autistic children and their families. In partnership with Wellcare, we are inviting North Carolina primary care providers to deepen their expertise in autism screening, evaluation, and ongoing care through a collaborative, case‑based learning experience.
Project ECHO Autism – Medical, led by UNC TEACCH, connects primary care clinicians with an interdisciplinary team of autism specialists through a virtual learning model designed to fit into busy clinical schedules. Participants gain practical, evidence‑based knowledge while learning alongside peers who share similar clinical challenges.
What to expect
The Project ECHO Autism series meets virtually on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 12:30–2:00 PM, beginning May 4, 2026. Sessions combine short didactic presentations with real‑world case consultation, allowing participants to apply new knowledge directly to patient care. Topics focus on improving screening practices, strengthening diagnostic understanding, and enhancing confidence in caring for autistic children across the continuum.
In addition to clinical learning, participants receive free continuing medical education (CME) credits, contact hours, and continuing education units (CEUs) for attending sessions—removing cost as a barrier to participation.
Who should participate
This series is designed for primary care providers in North Carolina who care for children and want to strengthen their skills in autism‑related screening, evaluation, and management. No prior specialty training in autism is required—just a commitment to learning and improving care for patients and families.
Learn more and register
Full details, including session dates, topics, and registration information, are available on the Project ECHO Autism – Medical website
This post explains how Lantern works, who is eligible, what types of procedures are covered, and what practices should understand when patients ask about surgical options under the State Health Plan.
What Is Lantern?
Lantern is a surgical care program included with the State Health Plan that helps match members with carefully vetted surgeons for planned, non‑emergency procedures. Members enrolled in the Plan are automatically enrolled in Lantern and do not need to take additional steps to sign up. There is no premium for the benefit; the cost is covered by the Plan.
Lantern is not available to members whose primary coverage is Medicare or to certain high‑deductible health plan participants. Members are not required to use a Lantern surgeon, but choosing a surgeon within Lantern’s Network of Excellence allows them to take advantage of the enhanced benefits associated with the program.
The Lantern Difference
A key feature of Lantern is its Network of Excellence™. Surgeons and facilities in this network are individually vetted based on licensure, board certification, fellowship training, malpractice history, reputational review, and outcomes data. Lantern reports complication rates of less than one percent, which is significantly lower than typical industry benchmarks.
Members are also supported by a dedicated Lantern Care Advocate. Care Advocates help explain the benefit, identify appropriate surgeons, coordinate appointments, and support members throughout the entire surgical journey so they can focus on recovery rather than logistics.
Covered Procedures and Costs
Lantern covers more than 1,500 planned, non‑emergency surgical procedures across a wide range of specialties, including orthopedics, spine, cardiac care, bariatric surgery, gynecology, general surgery, gastroenterology, ENT, and interventional pain management. Effective January 1, 2026, bariatric procedures are required to go through Lantern’s Network of Excellence.
When members use a Lantern surgeon, the core components of surgery—including the surgeon, hospital or surgery center, anesthesia, and inpatient stay—are covered at no cost to the member under Lantern, depending on the member’s plan. Some services before and after surgery, such as physical therapy, home health, advanced imaging, and durable medical equipment, are not covered by Lantern and remain subject to standard plan benefits.
Meaningful Savings and Travel Support
Lantern participants may experience meaningful savings. On average, members save between $2,000 and $4,000 per surgery, although actual savings vary based on the procedure and plan design.
If a member needs to travel to receive care, Lantern may cover certain travel‑related expenses, including mileage, lodging for trips over 100 miles, airfare for trips over 200 miles, and a daily per diem for meals and incidentals for the member and one companion. Travel arrangements are coordinated in advance by the Care Advocate.
How Members Use Lantern
For members, accessing Lantern starts with a single phone call. Members are encouraged to contact Lantern if they believe surgery may be necessary, have been advised to have surgery, or already have a procedure planned. A Care Advocate then helps guide them through surgeon selection, scheduling, and next steps.
Additional information for members is available on the State Health Plan website at www.shpnc.gov .
Information for Providers Interested in Becoming a Lantern Surgical Provider
Lantern partners with surgeons, hospitals, and ambulatory surgery centers performance and patient outcomes. Lantern partners with surgeons, hospitals, and ambulatory surgery centers across the country through its Network of Excellence™ .
Surgeons and facilities that participate in Lantern’s Network of Excellence may receive referrals for planned, non‑emergency procedures and work closely with Lantern’s clinical and operational teams. Lantern also notes that it emphasizes clear, transparent reimbursement and aims to reduce administrative burden for participating providers.
Providers in this network are individually vetted based on procedure‑specific experience, credentials, and quality outcomes. Lantern describes its approach as “specialist‑first,” focusing on partnering with providers who consistently demonstrate strong clinical performance, evidence‑based practice, and a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.
Providers or facilities interested in learning more about joining Lantern’s Network of Excellence can find additional information and submit an inquiry through Lantern’s specialist page at lanterncare.com/specialists .
Bottom Line
Lantern is a key part of the State Health Plan’s approach to improving surgical quality while lowering costs for members. By guiding members to highly vetted surgeons and supporting them throughout the surgical process, Lantern helps reduce complications, improve outcomes, and minimize financial burden.
Practices that understand how Lantern works are better positioned to answer patient questions and help members navigate their surgical benefits with confidence.
How Practice Support Can Help
The Practice Support Coaching Team can help practices understand how Lantern fits within the State Health Plan, support staff education, and answer workflow questions when patients raise questions about surgical care.
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Recent federal action brings welcome stability to telehealth services for Medicare providers and patients. Congress has formally extended key Medicare telehealth waivers through December 31, 2027, ensuring continuity after a brief lapse earlier this year.
For practices that rely on telehealth—particularly in primary care, behavioral health, rural health, and safety‑net settings—this extension reduces near‑term uncertainty and allows for more confident planning.
Stay Informed on Telehealth Policy
Ongoing telehealth policy changes can be complex and fast‑moving. The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) is a trusted national resource that tracks federal and state telehealth developments. Practices can receive timely updates by signing up for CCHP newsletters at
Center for Connected Health Policy
Medicare Telehealth Waivers Extended Through 2027
As an update to last week’s developments, the Medicare telehealth waivers that expired on January 30, 2026 have now been formally extended. Congress passed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and the bill was signed into law last week. Importantly, the legislation retroactively covers the brief lapse period, restoring continuity to Medicare telehealth coverage.
This law extends key Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, preventing a return to permanent, pre‑pandemic Medicare telehealth policy. These waivers have been in place since 2020, when the COVID‑19 public health emergency began, and have been extended multiple times—often for short periods. This nearly two‑year extension provides greater stability for both providers and patients who rely on telehealth services.
Telehealth Waivers That Are Now Extended
Under the new legislation, the following Medicare telehealth waivers remain in effect through the end of 2027:
- Waiver of location requirements, including both geographic restrictions and originating site rules
- Expanded list of eligible telehealth providers
- Continued eligibility of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) as Medicare telehealth providers
- Delay of the prior in‑person visit requirement for mental health services when certain permanent telehealth policy requirements are not met
- Delay of the in‑person visit requirement for mental health services delivered via telecommunications technology for FQHCs and RHCs
- Continued allowance of audio‑only telehealth services
- Continued use of telehealth to conduct face‑to‑face encounters for hospice recertification
In addition, the Acute Hospital Care at Home Initiative has been extended through September 30, 2030, allowing participating hospitals to continue providing hospital‑level care in patients’ homes.
Additional Telehealth Provisions in the Law
The legislation also includes several forward‑looking telehealth provisions that practices should be aware of:
- CMS is required to establish billing modifiers by 2027 to identify telehealth services delivered through third‑party virtual platforms and services billed “incident to” another professional service.
- Through calendar year 2027, hospitals may furnish and bill Medicare for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services delivered to hospital outpatients in their homes via live video.
- The Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance within one year on best practices for delivering telehealth services to patients with limited English proficiency.
- CMS is required to educate Medicare clinicians by January 1, 2028 on screening for medication‑induced movement disorders in at‑risk patients, including best practices for telehealth screening and how these services should be reflected in billing.
CMS Telehealth Guidance Updates
Following enactment of this legislation, CMS has updated its Telehealth FAQ for Calendar Year 2026 to reflect the restored flexibilities and new expiration dates.
The CMS Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Guidance, most recently revised in December 2025, remains a primary reference source. However, it has not yet been fully updated to reflect the most recent legislative changes. Some elements—such as references to an in‑person mental health visit within six months—will require revision, as that requirement is now waived through the end of 2027.
At the same time, several telehealth policy changes finalized under the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and reflected in the December 2025 MLN guidance remain in effect, as they were not addressed in H.R. 7148.
Telehealth Policies That Continue to Apply
Key provisions from the existing MLN guidance that remain unchanged include:
- Permanent addition of new services to the Medicare Telehealth Services List, eliminating the former “provisional” versus “permanent” distinction
- Removal of frequency limitations for subsequent inpatient visits, subsequent nursing facility visits, and critical care consultations
- Allowance for teaching and supervising physicians to meet supervision requirements through virtual presence in appropriate clinical situations
- Clarification of enrollment and billing rules for clinicians furnishing telehealth services from their homes, including options to suppress home address information in PECOS for privacy
- Addition of new CPT and HCPCS codes to the Medicare Telehealth Services List, including codes for multiple‑family group psychotherapy, group behavioral counseling for obesity, certain infectious‑disease add‑on services, and auditory integrated sound processors
The MLN guidance also continues to reflect payment for telehealth services furnished by FQHCs and RHCs through December 31, 2026. Because the broader waivers have now been extended through 2027, FQHCs and RHCs remain eligible under the general waiver authority rather than relying on a more limited carve‑out.
DEA Extends Telehealth Prescribing Waiver Through 2026
Separately, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has extended the telehealth prescribing waiver for controlled substances through December 31, 2026. This extension allows prescribing without a prior in‑person visit or meeting a statutory exception and represents a clean, one‑year continuation with no new requirements.
This policy continues to suspend the initial in‑person visit requirement under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008. The DEA’s rules apply nationwide and are separate from state requirements and Medicare reimbursement rules. Longer‑term federal prescribing policy remains unresolved, and additional changes may emerge.
How Northwest AHEC Can Help
Your Northwest AHEC Practice Support Team is here to help practices interpret telehealth policy changes and understand how they affect workflows, billing, and patient access. We encourage practices to stay informed through trusted resources like CCHP and to reach out with questions.
Beginning April 1, 2026, several Medicaid managed care plans in North Carolina will change how certain claims are handled. Carolina Complete Health, Trillium Physical Health, and Partners Physical Health will move from post‑payment denials to upfront claim rejections when provider information on a claim is incorrect or incomplete.
This change applies broadly and will impact all provider types that submit claims—not just hospitals.
What’s Changing?
Under this new process, claims with provider data that does not match NCTracks will be rejected immediately, rather than processed and denied later.
Upfront rejections may occur when information such as:
- National Provider Identifier (NPI)
- Taxonomy
- Rendering or billing provider details
- Service location information
is missing, inactive, or does not align with what is on file in NCTracks.
If a claim is rejected upfront, it will not enter adjudication. Providers must correct the information and resubmit the claim.
Who Is Impacted?
These changes apply to ALL enrolled providers who submit claims, including:
- Primary Care Providers (PCPs)
- Medical and surgical specialists (cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, GI, OB/GYN, and others)
- Behavioral health providers
- Group practices
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
- Urgent care centers
- Outpatient clinics
- Ancillary providers (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, labs, imaging centers)
If you submit claims, these rules apply to you.
Common Reasons Claims Will Be Rejected
Claims may be rejected upfront if any of the following issues are identified:
NPI Issues
- NPI is not active with Medicaid or Health Choice for the date of service
- NPI is not found on file
- Required billing or rendering NPI is missing
Taxonomy Issues
- Taxonomy does not match NCTracks enrollment
- Taxonomy is not active for the date of service
- Taxonomy is missing or invalid
- Claim is billed under the wrong taxonomy
Service Location Issues
- Service facility NPI is missing or inactive
- Required service location fields are not completed when services are rendered at a location different from the billing address (e.g., CMS‑1500 Box 32/32a/32b)
What Providers Should Do Now
To reduce the risk of upfront rejections starting April 1, practices should take the following steps as soon as possible:
✅ Verify Your NCTracks Enrollment
Confirm that all of the following are current, active, and accurate in NCTracks:
- Billing NPI
- Rendering provider NPIs
- Taxonomy codes
- Service locations
✅ Bill Using the Correct Taxonomy
Ensure the taxonomy on your claim matches your NCTracks enrollment for the services being billed.
✅ Review Claim Form Accuracy
Double‑check that claim fields are completed correctly, including:
- Billing provider information
- Rendering provider information
- Service facility location fields
✅ Use the Provider Billing Manual
Refer to the Carolina Complete Health Provider Billing Manual, particularly sections detailing:
- Where NPIs must be reported
- Where taxonomy codes must be placed
- When service facility location fields are required
If You Receive an Upfront Rejection
If a claim is rejected upfront:
- Review the rejection code provided.
- Correct the provider information on the claim.
- Resubmit the claim.
No appeal is required for upfront rejections.
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A Note for Hospital Providers
In addition to upfront rejection changes, beginning April 15, 2026, hospital inpatient claims billed at $250,000 or more will move to pre‑payment review rather than post‑payment review. These reviews will continue to be conducted by 6 Degrees Health and apply to claims processed for Carolina Complete Health, Trillium Health Resources, and Partners Health Management.
Hospitals should be prepared to submit itemized bills proactively for high‑dollar inpatient claims to avoid processing delays.
Bottom Line
Starting April 1, 2026, accurate provider data matters more than ever.
These upfront rejection changes apply to all providers submitting claims. Ensuring that your NPI, taxonomy, rendering provider, and service location information exactly match what is on file in NCTracks is essential to avoid immediate claim rejections and payment delays.
How Practice Support Can Help
Your Northwest AHEC Practice Support Team is available to help practices:
- Review common claim errors
- Understand NCTracks enrollment alignment
- Prepare billing staff for upcoming changes
If you have questions or would like assistance, please reach out to your local practice support coach.
What North Carolina Primary Care Practices Need to Know
North Carolina Medicaid has released updated guidance on when providers can expect corrected payments and claim reprocessing following the reversal of the Medicaid reimbursement rate reductions that took effect October 1, 2025.
We know this issue has created uncertainty for practice managers, billing teams, and financial planning. Below is a plain‑language summary of the timelines so you can plan appropriately and communicate clearly with your staff.
Background: What Changed?
On December 10, 2025, North Carolina announced the reversal of the Medicaid rate reductions implemented on October 1, 2025. These reversals apply to both NC Medicaid Direct (Fee‑for‑Service) and NC Medicaid Managed Care (PHPs).
The state has now outlined how and when corrected rates will be implemented and when affected claims will be reprocessed, as detailed in the NC Medicaid Rate Reduction Reversal Update.
Updated Fee Schedules
NC Medicaid has announced that updated fee schedules, reflecting the reversal of the October 1, 2025 rate reductions, are scheduled to be posted on January 5, 2026.
These updated fee schedules apply to:
- NC Medicaid Direct (Fee‑for‑Service)
- NC Medicaid Managed Care (PHP) plans
Updated schedules will be available through the NC Medicaid Fee Schedules and Covered Codes Portal.
When PHPs Will Implement Corrected Rates
Once the updated fee schedules are posted:
- Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs have 45 days) to update their systems with the corrected rates.
This places PHP system implementation between January 5 and February 19, 2026, depending on the plan.
What this means for your practice
Providers should expect to begin seeing corrected Medicaid Managed Care (PHP) payments:
- Mid‑February through early March 2026, depending on the PHP
Reprocessing of Previously Paid Claims
PHPs are required to reprocess all claims affected by the October 1, 2025 rate reductions for dates of service on or after October 1, 2025.
- After implementing the corrected rates, PHPs have an additional 30 days to complete claim reprocessing.
Based on the required timelines, claim reprocessing is expected:
- Late February through late March 2026
- Some adjustments may extend into early April, depending on the PHP
Providers do not need to resubmit claims for reprocessing unless directed otherwise by their PHP.
NC Medicaid Direct (Fee‑for‑Service) Timeline
For comparison, NC Medicaid Direct (FFS) follows a different payment timeline.
Corrected payments for NC Medicaid Direct began appearing in the January 13, 2026 check write, following system updates tied to the January 5 fee schedule posting.
This differs from PHP timelines, which must follow the 45‑day system update period plus a 30‑day reprocessing window.
What Providers Should Expect — At a Glance
Medicaid Managed Care (PHPs):
- Corrected payment amounts: Mid‑February through early March 2026
- Reprocessed claim adjustments: Late February through March 2026
- Some remittances may extend into early April, depending on the PHP
NC Medicaid Direct (FFS):
- Corrected payments began January 13, 2026
What Practices Should Do Now
✅ Continue submitting claims as usual✅ Monitor remittance advice carefully for adjustments and reprocessed claims
✅ Prepare billing and finance staff for increased remittance activity over several weeks
✅ Avoid duplicate resubmissions unless specifically instructed by the PHP
PHPs have indicated that providers do not need to take action for affected claims to be reprocessed.
Who This Applies To
This guidance applies to:
- NC Medicaid Direct
- NC Medicaid Managed Care (PHPs)
How Northwest AHEC Can Help
Your Northwest AHEC Practice Support Team is here to help practices navigate these changes. We can assist with:
- Understanding remittance advice and claim adjustments
- Preparing staff talking points and internal communications
- Workflow planning during high‑volume claim reprocessing periods
If your practice has questions or would benefit from one‑on‑one support, please reach out to your local AHEC practice support coach.
Measles outbreaks have been occurring throughout the US, and North Carolina recorded its first recent case in December 2025.
Health care providers need to be aware of the symptoms, treatments, and risks of this highly infectious disease.
To learn more, check out the ADL’s collection of Highlighted Resources: NC Measles Metrics: a dashboard from the NC Department of Public Health
What Practice Staff and Managers Need to Know about Measles: a tip sheet from NC AHEC’s Practice Support service line
What Parents Need to Know: patient-focused information from the American Academy of Pediatrics
As part of our ongoing commitment to help practices stay ahead of regulatory changes, we want to make sure you’re aware of an important update from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that may affect your laboratory operations—especially if your practice performs any in‑house testing.
What’s Changing?
CMS is modernizing the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program by transitioning entirely to electronic fee coupons and electronic CLIA certificates.
Starting March 1, 2026:
- CMS will no longer mail paper CLIA fee coupons or CLIA certificates.
- All CLIA certification and survey fees must be paid online.
(Checks will no longer be accepted.) - Only practices and labs enrolled in CMS email notifications will receive fee coupons and certificates going forward.
This means it’s essential for laboratories and any provider conducting lab testing to be signed up for CMS electronic notifications before the March 1 deadline.
Why This Matters
Failure to transition to electronic notifications may result in:
- Missed CLIA fee invoices
- Lapsed certificates
- Delays or disruptions in billing
- Compliance issues that could affect laboratory testing services
We want your practice to avoid any of these preventable interruptions.
Action Steps for Practices
To continue receiving CLIA-related documents electronically, take one of the following steps as soon as possible:
-
Email your State Agency
Use the contact information provided in the CMS State Agency PDF to update or confirm your email address on file. -
Accredited Laboratories
If your laboratory is accredited through an Accreditation Organization, contact your accreditor directly to update your email information.
Either option will ensure CMS has the correct email address for your lab or practice.
Steps to Look Up CLIA Status
- Access the Tool: Navigate to the QCOR Home Page and select "CLIA Laboratory Lookup" from the left-hand menu bar (typically the second option from the top).
- Enter Search Criteria: You can search for a laboratory using the following details:
- CLIA Number: Enter the 10-digit alphanumeric identification number.
- Facility Name: Use the full or partial name of the laboratory.
- Location: Narrow results by City, State, or Zip Code.
- View Results: Click on the laboratory name in the search results to open a pop-up window containing demographics and status.
- Download Certificate: If a certificate was generated after September 27, 2023, a link to download the official PDF will be visible in the laboratory's information box.
CMS Demographic Lookup: You can also check basic "active" lab information (expiration date, certificate type) on the CMS Laboratory Demographic Information page.
FDA CLIA Database: For information regarding specific test categorizations and waived analytes, use the FDA CLIA Database.
How Practice Coaches Can Support You
We’re here to help your team prepare for the transition. Practice Support Coaches can:
- Confirm whether your practice has already received electronic notifications
- Help you identify your state agency contact
- Walk through the steps to update your information
- Answer questions about the process and how it may impact billing and operations
If your practice performs any point‑of‑care testing or maintains a CLIA certificate of waiver, this change applies to you—so please take a moment to complete this update.
Bottom Line
March 1, 2026 is the final cutoff for paper CLIA documents. Switching to electronic notifications now will help ensure seamless renewals, uninterrupted testing operations, and continued compliance with CMS requirements.
If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Practice Support Coach—we’re here to help you navigate the transition smoothly.
