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‘The 1980s Called’: CMS to Phase Out Fax, Mail

CMS finalized a rule that phases out fax machines and snail‑mail for healthcare claims documentation, establishing national standards for electronic exchange of clinical records. The Administrative Simplification Final Rule is projected to save the industry about $781 million each year, though CMS did not disclose the underlying data. It also mandates electronic signatures and applies to all HIPAA‑covered entities, with compliance required by May 19, 2028. The rule introduces the first HIPAA‑adopted standards for secure transmission of attachments such as X‑rays, telemedicine notes, and lab results.