Love this one. What a pencil pushers waste of time.
Only restriction is date may not be stamped. Electronic or typed is not addressed.
(Reference: CMS Manual System, Pub. 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 3, section 3.4.1.1.B).
http://www.cms.gov/transmittals/downloads/R281PI.pdf5.3.1 ? Completing a CMN or DIF
(Rev.281, Issued: 281, Effective: 02-02-09, Implementation: 02-02-09)
The "Initial Date" found in Section A of the CMN, should be either the specific date that the physician gives as the start of the medical necessity or, if the physician does not give a specific start date, the "Initial Date" would be the date of the order.
The "Signature Date" is the date the physician signed and dated Section D of the CMN. This date might not be the same as the "Initial Date", since the "Signature Date" must indicate when the physician signed Section D of the CMN. Medicare requires a legible identifier for services provided/ordered. The method used shall be handwritten or an electronic signature in accordance with chapter 3, section 3.4.1.1 to sign an order or other medical record documentation for medical review purposes. Signature and date stamps are not acceptable for use on CMNs and DIFs.
