Updated Signature Requirements

Medicare requires that medical record entries for services provided/ordered be authenticated by the author. The method used shall be a hand written or an electronic signature. Stamp signatures are not acceptable. Patient identification, date of service, and provider of the service should be clearly identified on the submitted documentation. (Medicare Internet Only Manual 100-8, Ch 3, sect 3.4.1.1(b)) The documentation you submit in response to requests should comply with these requirements. This may require you to contact the hospital or other facility where you provided the service and obtain your signed progress notes, plan of care, discharge summary, etc. If the signature requirements are not met, the reviewer will conduct the review without considering the documentation with the missing or illegible signature. This could lead the reviewer to determine that the medical necessity for the service billed has not been substantiated. Remember adding a late signature to documentation is not acceptable. Should you question that you have met these requirements, you may submit an attestation statement with your response. NOTE: For an attestation statement to be valid it MUST be signed by the provider performing the service

Source: https://www.cgsmedicare.com/