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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Evaluation and Management Services:

Set Your Policies Straight: Work Those Diagnostic Signature Requirements To Your Advantage

Published on Tue Aug 02, 2011

You are safe if you always remember to sign all orders or requisitions.Are you confused about signature requirements for CT scans and allergy testing? You may already know that the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has tightened documentation and signature requirements by issuing Transmittal 327 Change Request 6698 in March 2010. However, you have to read between the lines.Change Request 6698:What Is The Fuss All About?CMS' Change Request 6698 (www.cms.gov/Transmittals/downloads/R327PI.pdf) revision came about with the aim of outlining the signature guidelines for medical review by Medicare claims review contractors -- now contained in the CMS Program Integrity Manual (Internet Only Manual Publication 100-08, Chapter 3, section 3.3.2.4; pages 1- 38; www.cms.gov/manuals/downloads/pim83c03.pdf). The previous instruction required a "legible identifier" in the form of a handwritten or electronic signature for every service provided or ordered. In this CR, CMS updates these requirements and adds e-prescribing language.The instruction was directed [...]
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