Signature requirements: Guidelines for authentication of Medicare services
CMS requires that any Medicare service provided or ordered must be authenticated by the author - the one who provided or ordered that service. Authentication may be accomplished through the provision of a hand-written or an electronic signature; however, stamp signatures are unacceptable, with one exception (physical disability).
In addition, any documentation submitted to substantiate the medical necessity for a service billed to Medicare must clearly identify the patient, date of service, and the provider of the service. The purpose of the authentication (signature) requirement is to ensure that the services rendered have been accurately and appropriately documented, reviewed, and authenticated.
Please review the MLN fact sheet Complying with Medicare signature requirements for the complete details on Medicare’s signature requirements. CMS outlines signature requirements for medical documentation as well as exceptions to the guidelines in the Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 3, section 3.3.2.4.
Reference