Wiki Signature Stamps

mdfech

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I have been a nurse to close to 20 years and obtained by Paralegal 5 years ago and my CPCO certification last November. It's been awhile but isn't signature stamps illegal. I have found limited references to whether they can be used and with that it was documented that they are used for disabled providers and other vague things but nothing really notable on whether they should or should not be used. My practice that I currently work in utilize them. It makes me very uncomfortable to do so. I am looking for documentation to support the argument of not utilizing them. I was actually surprised to see that they were using them now, cause I had not seen them used in years.
Thanks for your imput!
 
I would ask the malpractice carrier. I find that when I come across something obscure like this, it's easier to ask them, because they probably have a policy or "best practices" article about it, or at least will advise the doctor to stop it.
 
In our office, it depends on what is being signed.
Can use stamps on:
- disability note or form
- letter to patient they missed appt
- appeal letter to insurance
ONLY ink signature or e-signature:
- office notes
- op note
- other billable service
- surgical consent
I think orders also need to have ink or e-signature, but since they are only written in our EMR, they always have the e-signature.
And yes, Medicare does have some type of rule that stamps are not permitted as a signature unless the provider is unable to sign. For the items we use stamps, those are not items we are billing for, and are not medical services.
 
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