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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2026
Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries
CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is slashing wasteful spending and antiquated paperwork by swapping out faxing and mailing for streamlined electronic transactions. This action lets providers spend less time on administrative hassle and more time caring for patients.
The Administrative Simplification; Adoption of Standards for Health Care Claims Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures Final Rule is projected to save the healthcare industry roughly $781 million annually by establishing national standards for the electronic exchange of clinical documentation used to support health care claims. The rule also adopts standards for electronic signatures to ensure secure, authenticated transmission of this information.
“The 1980s called, and they want their fax machines back,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “The futuristic medical breakthroughs we’ve achieved, like augmented reality glasses that give surgeons X-ray vision, shouldn’t have to coexist with administrative systems that often lag decades behind. This new rule will modernize American healthcare by standardizing electronic claims attachments and enabling secure electronic signatures. Because every minute providers save on paperwork is another minute they can spend caring for patients.”
Historically, providers have relied on outdated manual methods to submit additional claims-related documentation requested by health plans, including medical records, X-rays, clinical notes, telemedicine visit documentation, and laboratory results - all of which cause delays and unnecessary costs. The standards finalized today establish a consistent, easy-to-use electronic framework for transmitting this documentation, improving efficiency across the entire healthcare system.
The standards adopted in this rule apply to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-covered entities, including health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers that conduct electronic transactions.
The rule is effective on May 19, 2026 [60 days after publication in the Federal Register]. Covered entities must comply by May 19, 2028 [24 months of the effective date].
To view the final rule fact sheet, visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/administrative-simplification-adoption-standards-health-care-claims-attachments-transactions.
For more information, visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/key-initiatives/burden-reduction/administrative-simplification/hipaa/events-latest-news.
To view the final rule, visit https://www.federalregister.gov/.
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