Advanced Search

Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Documentation:

Move Provider Signature To The Top Of Your Documentation Checklist

Published on Thu Jun 16, 2011

Extra: The physician's credentials have a role to play, too.Your CPT® coding may be spick and span, but if you fail to fulfill your physician signature requirements, your claim could end up in hot waters. Getting your provider to sign up the patient's charts is a basic documentation prerequisite that calls for your relentless compliance.Basic: The treating physician's signature serves as a legible identifier for the provided/ordered services. Payers require that the signature must be present in the documentation that is associated with your claim.Check out the following Q&A and find out why stamped signatures just won't do you any good.Get To The Bottom Of Handwritten vs. Electronic SignaturesQuestion 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 [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Otolaryngology Coding Alert

View All