CMS warning: Third-party solicitation documents impersonate CLIA communications

CMS has issued a warning to certified laboratories regarding fraudulent third-party documents mimicking official CLIA communications, emphasizing that all legitimate notices are now fully electronic and originate from CMS or state agencies.

Erin Brady

Oct. 9, 2026

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Key Highlights

CMS has identified a scheme involving fake documents that impersonate official CLIA communications across multiple states.
All legitimate CLIA notices are now issued electronically, with no physical bills or invoices sent by third parties since March 2026.
Laboratories should verify official communications directly from CMS or their State Survey Agency to avoid scams.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has sent out a Quality and Safety Special Alert warning certified laboratories of a scheme involving third-party solicitation documents posing as official Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) communications.

This has happened across several states, and CMS emphasized that these documents are not official CLIA communications. They may resemble bills or invoices, but CMS reminded laboratories in the alert that CLIA fees and certificates have been fully electronic as of March 1, 2026. Additionally, official communications will only come from CMS or the lab’s State Survey Agency.

Furthermore, CMS is requesting that billing, compliance, and administrative departments of CLIA-certified laboratories are aware of this and noted that State Agency CLIA offices and [email protected] can help laboratories with clarification on the matter.