CLIAwaived

CLIAwaived refers to tests that have been granted a waiver by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988. These tests are considered simple and have a low risk of error when performed correctly. The waiver allows certain healthcare professionals to conduct these tests in their offices without needing a separate laboratory certificate. This streamlines the diagnostic process, enabling quicker results and immediate treatment decisions for patients.

The CLIA waiver program aims to improve patient access to testing and facilitate point-of-care testing. It is important to note that while the tests themselves are waived, the facilities performing them must still comply with CLIA regulations regarding personnel qualifications, quality control, and proficiency testing. The specific list of CLIA-waived tests is maintained and updated by CMS. Examples of common CLIA-waived tests include certain rapid strep tests, urine drug screening, and some glucose monitoring devices. These waived tests play a significant role in modern healthcare by bringing diagnostic capabilities closer to the patient.