Wiki Rules for dictation and sign off.

[nneecole44]

I have scoured the Medicare website and manuals. I can seem to find a clear answer as to how long a physician has to dictate and sign a office note/dictation after the patient is seen. Can anyone help me??? Please and thank you!

 

[thomas7331]

To my knowledge, Medicare has never said specifically how long a provider has to sign a record. The guidance is that late signatures should not be added "beyond the short delay that occurs during the transcription process". Some payers do have specific requirements though - our local Medicaid plan, for example, requires all documentation to be signed within 30 days of the date of service.

Here's a good link with some frequently asked questions about signature requirements:

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Ed...gnature_Requirements_Fact_Sheet_ICN905364.pdf