Signature requirements clarified by CMS
A recent change to signature requirements by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarifies what is acceptable for physicians' orders.
A handwritten or electronic signature is accepted, but stamp signatures are not acceptable. An exception to this requirement is that a "facsimile of original written or electronic signatures are acceptable for the certifications of terminal illness for hospice." A change to the requirement also specifies that "facsimile and hard copies of a physician's electronic signature must be in the patient's medical record for the certification of terminal illness for hospice."
To see a copy of the full transmittal, go to www.cms.hhs.gov and select "Regulations and Guidance" on the home page, then under the "Guidance" heading, select "Transmittals." Choose "2008 Transmittals" on the left navigational bar. Scroll down to "Transmittal R248PI," which was issued on March 28.
A recent change to signature requirements by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarifies what is acceptable for physicians' orders.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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