CMS Wants to Phase out Fax Machines

March 26, 2026

The Department of Health and Human Services says it wants to phase out fax machines through its final rule standardizing attachments to support electronic health care claims.

Last week, the agency released the Administrative Simplification; Adoption of Standards for Health Care Claims Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures Final Rule.

“This new rule will modernize American health care by standardizing electronic claims attachments and enabling secure electronic signatures,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator. “Because every minute providers save on paperwork is another minute they can spend caring for patients.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• What it does:  The rule sets national standards for the electronic exchange of clinical documentation used to support health care claims through the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
  • It also adopts standards for electronic signatures to ensure secure, authenticated transmission of this information. 
• The context:  Providers have used a mix of electronic and paper records to submit claims-related documentation (medical records, X-rays, clinical notes, telemedicine visit documentation, and laboratory results).
• Who it covers:  The rule applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers that conduct electronic transactions.
• Key dates:  The final rule goes into effect May 26, 2026. Covered entities must comply by May 26, 2028.
• Quotable:  “The standards finalized today establish a consistent, easy-to-use electronic framework for transmitting this documentation, improving efficiency across the entire healthcare system,” CMS officials said in a statement.

Additional information and the final rule are available online.