Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Stamped signatures aren't the only alternative to speed orders.

Home care providers looking for quicker turnaround on physician orders may want to talk docs into using easier-to-secure electronic signatures, which already are acceptable under current regulations. If docs still are reluctant to use electronic signature methods due to security concerns, home care providers can soothe their fears by offering up these five security tips from durable medical equipment regional carrier Cigna HealthCare: 1. Never give out your password or user identification so that others may use your digital signature. 2. Install time-limited screen savers that require the user to log on if the keyboard or mouse is idle for a certain period of time. 3. Avoid selecting passwords like "12345" or your social security number or phone number. It's best to choose a string of characters or numbers that's meaningful to you but isn't a recognizable word. For example, you can use a password like "FSASYA," which is easy to remember with the phrase "Four Score And Seven Years Ago." 4. Change your password every 60 to 90 days. 5. Don't store your password under your keyboard or near your computer.