NGS Clarifies Signature and Date Stamp Questions

In a clarification sent last week, National Government Services,
the Jurisdiction B DME MAC, said it has received several questions
about MLN
Matters article 6261 regarding signature and date stamps.
According to the MAC’s message, one of the highest Comprehensive
Error Rate Testing (CERT) errors continues to involve “multiple
issues related to physician orders, including the lack of a legible
identifier.” But as of Feb. 2, the MAC message reminded, “signature
and date stamps are not acceptable for use on Certificates of
Medical Necessity (CMNs) and DME Information Forms (DIFs).” In
fact, signature and date stamps “are not acceptable on any medical
record documentation,” the MAC said, including detailed written
orders, dispensing orders, detailed written orders prior to
delivery and signed and dated statements of compliance from the
treating physician. The clarification said more information is
available in the Program
Integrity Manual.