The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made a significant change to documentation amendment protocols through Change Request 9332. As of November 2, 2015, the DME MAC contractors have been instructed to accept physician initials to validate documentation amendments, initials can be accepted when the document also contains the physician’s full name to enable the reviewer to identify the initials.
Previously, the program integrity manual stipulated that in cases where medical records were amended, the physician was required to make the change by affixing a full signature. Amendments made to Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMNs) were the only exception to this rule. On CMNs, the author making the change could affix their initials.
Now suppliers have a little more wiggle room on how those amendments are authenticated.
Previously, the program integrity manual stipulated that in cases where medical records were amended, the physician was required to make the change by affixing a full signature. Amendments made to Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMNs) were the only exception to this rule. On CMNs, the author making the change could affix their initials.
Now suppliers have a little more wiggle room on how those amendments are authenticated.
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