CMS Rule Phases Out Fax, Mail for Electronic Transactions

CMS Newsroom

Published March 20th, 2026

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

CMS has issued a final rule to phase out fax and mail for healthcare claims attachments, replacing them with standardized electronic transactions and electronic signatures. This rule is projected to save the healthcare industry approximately $781 million annually by reducing administrative burdens and improving efficiency.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized a rule mandating the adoption of electronic transactions and electronic signatures for health care claims attachments. This initiative aims to replace outdated fax and mail processes with standardized electronic data exchange, significantly reducing administrative costs and provider burden. The rule is expected to save the healthcare industry an estimated $781 million annually by streamlining the submission of clinical documentation supporting claims.

Covered entities, including health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers, must comply with these new standards. The rule becomes effective on May 26, 2026, with a compliance deadline of May 26, 2028. This transition requires entities to implement systems capable of electronic claims attachment transactions and secure electronic signatures, shifting away from manual, paper-based processes to improve efficiency and allow providers more time for patient care.

What to do next

Implement electronic transaction standards for health care claims attachments.
Adopt secure electronic signature capabilities for authenticated transmission.
Transition from fax and mail to electronic submission methods for supporting documentation.

Source document (simplified)

Press Releases Mar 20, 2026

CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year

Administration Share

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 26, 2026 [60 days after publication in the Federal Register]. Covered entities must comply by May 26, 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/.

Get CMS news at cms.gov/newsroom, sign up for CMS news via email and follow CMS on X @CMSgov