Advanced Search

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Lab Compliance:

You Won't Need Ordering Physician Signature -- Yet

Published on Fri Jan 14, 2011

CMS delays need for signed requisitions until after first quarter, 2011. If you've been worried about the new physician signature requirement that might wreak havoc with your lab pay, you have a temporary reprieve. Jan. 1 was the initial deadline for referring physicians and non-physician practitioners (NPP) to personally sign all paper requisitions for clinical lab tests. But CMS posted a notice delaying the implementation date. Here's why: CMS states that it will postpone the start date to concentrate on "developing educational and outreach materials to educate those affected by this policy." The agency will "post this information on our website and use the other channels we have to communicate with providers to ensure this information is widely distributed." Here's when: "The notice doesn't give a specific date, but does clearly state that 'once our first quarter of 2011 educational campaign is fully underway, CMS will expect requisitions to be [...]
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

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

View All