Eli's Rehab Report
Don't Forget The Legible Signature Rule
PDF
If your claims are lacking a legible signature, you’ll also find a lack of income. That’s because CMS requires a legible signature on your documentation, said Part B MAC NGS Medicare in a recent reminder.
“Unsigned documentation or lack of attestation will result in the denial of services,” the payer says. “The MD signature is required on orders for laboratory services, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, therapy treatment plans and physician progress notes,” NGS adds.
What about chicken scratch? If your doctor’s signature is present but unreadable, you’ve got options, NGS says. “If you notice the signature is illegible when asked to supply medical records, please include a signature key, signature page or a document from the provider/physician or compliance officer that affirms the signature is indeed the provider’s/physician’s.”
Resource: To read more about how to comply with Medicare’s signature requirements, visit www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/Signature_Requirements_Fact_Sheet_ICN905364.pdf.
Eli's Rehab Report
- Outpatient Outlook:
Taste Sweet Victory With SGR Fix, Therapy Cap Repeal Not So Much
Experts fear therapy cap repeal lost its best chance to pass. The April 1, 2015 [...] - Reimbursement:
Your Early April Medicare Payments May Be OK
CMS lends a hand while Congress works out solution. Panicking about your Medicare claims between [...] - Reimbursement:
What Is MIPS?
Included in the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act, legislators introduced a new system called the [...] - Home Health Therapy:
Robust Therapy Documentation Could Make Or Break Claims
Tip: Protect against subsequent reviews by documenting medical necessity carefully. Are you sure every single [...] - HIPAA Breaches:
Protect Against Data Breaches In 5 Steps
Warning: Learn from this sophisticated cyberattack. If you think you have your patient’s PHI well [...] - Reader Questions:
When Is EOT Required?
Question: The resident’s last therapy date was Feb. 21. Medicare ended on Feb. 23. The resident [...] - Reader Questions:
Know When An Unscheduled OMRA Is Okay
Question: The resident’s 60-day MDS has an Assessment Reference Date (ARD) of Feb. 8. The [...] - Reader Questions:
Get A Therapy V-Code Refresher For SNFs And HHAs
Question: I’ve just relocated to a SNF setting from a hospital outpatient therapy department and am [...] - Reader Questions:
Check What a Tech May Or May Not Document
Question: We are currently building out our EMR content and the following questions came up [...] - Industry Notes:
Here's Your Chance To Give Your Two Cents
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has good news for you. It debuted [...] - Industry Notes:
Glitch May Short HHAs For Therapy Visits Furnished
A claims glitch means you may not be getting your full reimbursement for therapy, but [...] - Industry Notes:
Don't Forget The Legible Signature Rule
If your claims are lacking a legible signature, you’ll also find a lack of income. [...]