Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Avoid Stamped Physician Signatures on Durable Medical Equipment Forms
Plus: If a CERT auditor requests just one record, treat the request the same as if the auditor requested 100 records.
In 2007, CMS announced a ban on stamped physician signatures for hospice forms, then last year said stamped signatures were out for HHA forms too. Now it's clarifying that stamped signatures and stamped dates won't work for DME forms, according to Dec. 31, 2008 CR 6261 (Transmittal No. 281).
"Signature and date stamps are not acceptable for use on CMNs (certificates of medical necessity) and DIFs (DME MAC information forms)," CMS says in the transmittal.
"Your Medicare contractors will accept only hand written, facsimiles of original written and electronic signatures and dates on medical record documentation for medical review purposes on CMNs and DIFs," CMS adds in a MLN Matters article on the subject.
The transmittal is at www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R281PI.pdf. The MLN Matters article is online at www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6261.pdf.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- Part B Funding:
Dems' Stimulus Bill Earmarks Over $26 Billion for Healthcare
$550 billion bill doesn't ignore medical practices. President Barack Obama was just sworn into office, [...] - Part B Payment:
Calculate Fees Differently in '09
We'll show you how your payer will establish fees. CMS has tried to make it [...] - Part B Mythbuster:
Modifier 57 Alone Should Preclude the Need for 25
Medicare carriers don't require you to append both modifiers. Myth: Payers "don't like" modifier 57 (Decision for [...] - Part B Revenue Booster:
2 Tips Easily Solve Your Code Compliance Errors
Reduce denials for your practice by reading the fine print. There are always a few [...] - Reader Question:
Master This Tricky Recertification Timing Issue for Part B Therapy
Know the limits to the 90-day rule -- and whether the therapy must occur on pre-specified [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
Bust 3 Myths About How Global Rules Affect Your Postop Coding
CMS and CPT disagree about one key term. If you automatically assume you can't separately [...] - Physician Notes:
Avoid Stamped Physician Signatures on Durable Medical Equipment Forms
Plus: If a CERT auditor requests just one record, treat the request the same as if [...]
