Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments of 1988 (“CLIA”) Fraud
CLIA was intended by Congress to establish a single set of standards which govern all providers of laboratory services to Medicare beneficiaries. CLIA authorizes the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to inspect clinical laboratories. The Act directs the Secretary to establish standards to assure that clinical laboratories certified by the Secretary perform tests that are valid and accurate. Fraud occurs where violations of CLIA are covered up during the inspection process.