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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.

Attestation Statement typed on a separate document and should include:

  • Full name of provider performing the service
  • Date of Service
  • Provider credentials, e.g. MD
  • Beneficiary Name
  • Beneficiary Date of Birth
  • Performing Provider's Signature

For example the following verbiage may be retyped for each Date of Service filling in the blanks with specific information:

  • (Insert Current Date)
  • (Insert Beneficiary Name)
  • (Insert Beneficiary Date of Birth)

I (Insert Provider Name) hereby attest that the medical record entry for (Insert Date of Service) accurately reflects signatures/ notations that I made in my capacity as (Insert Provider's Credentials, such as MD, PA, DO etc) when I treated the above listed Medicare beneficiary. I do hereby attest that this information is true, accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and I understand that any falsification, omission, or concealment of material fact may subject me to administrative, civil, or criminal liability.

Provider's Signature: ________________________________

Today's Date: ______________________________________

NOTE: For an attestation statement to be valid it MUST be signed by the provider performing the service

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