CSHCN 2009 > Laboratory Services > Enrollment

23.1.1 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988

To be eligible for reimbursement by the CSHCN Services Program, all providers performing laboratory tests must:

•Enroll with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

•Receive a CLIA registration and certification number by contacting DSHS at 1-512-834-6792 or access CLIA information at www.dshs.state.tx.us/HFP/clia.shtm or at www.cms.hhs.gov/clia.

Submit CLIA applications to the following address:

Texas Department of State Health Services
Patient Quality Care, MC-1979/E 30000
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756

Notify TMHP of the assigned CLIA number by fax at 1-512-514-4214 or by mail at the following address:

Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership
Attn: Provider Enrollment
PO Box 200795
Austin, TX 78720-0795

CMS implemented CLIA. The CLIA regulations were published in the February 28, 1992, Federal Register and have been amended several times since.

Copies of the CLIA rules and regulations are located at the CMS website at www.cms.hhs.gov. These regulations concern all laboratory testing used for the assessment of human health or the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease. CLIA regulations set standards designed to improve quality in all laboratory testing and include specifications for quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA), patient test management, personnel, and proficiency testing. Under CLIA 88, all clinical laboratories (including those located in physician's offices), regardless of location, size, or type of laboratory must meet standards based on the complexity of the test(s) they perform.

Important: The CSHCN Services Program monitors claims submitted by clinical laboratories for CLIA numbers. Claims submitted for laboratory services are denied if there is not a CLIA number on file with the CSHCN Services Program.