Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Answers to 2 common questions help ensure you're on track. Including provider signatures is a basic documentation requirement for your patient charts, but can also be a daily challenge. Check your answers against our experts' advice to verify your group's signature compliance. Handwritten and Electronic Could Meet Criteria Question 1: Some of our physicians use handwritten signatures on their charts and others prefer electronic signatures. Is either kind acceptable? Answer 1: According to CMS documents, "Medicare requires a legible identifier for services provided/ordered." That "identifier" or signature can be electronic or handwritten, as long as the provider meets certain criteria. Legible first and last names, a legible first initial with last name, or even an illegible signature over a printed or typed name are acceptable. You're also covered if the provider's signature is illegible but is on a page with other information identifying the signer (letterhead, addressograph, etc.). "Also be [...]