Provider Types Affected
Providers and suppliers submitting claims, CMNs, or DIFs to Medicare
contractors (carriers, DME Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs),
Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs), Part A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (A/B
MACs), and/or Regional Home Health Intermediaries (RHHIs)) related to durable
medical equipment, prosthetic, and orthotic supplies (DMPEOS) provided to
Medicare beneficiaries.
Provider Action Needed
This article is based on Change Request (CR) 6261 and alerts providers
that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued instructions
regarding signature requirements for CMNs and DIFs. Signature and date stamps
are not acceptable for use on CMNs and DIFs. Be sure your billing staffs are
aware of this change. Your Medicare contractors will accept only hand written,
facsimiles of original written and electronic signatures and dates on medical
record documentation for medical review purposes on CMNs and DIFs.
Background
CMNs and DIFs are forms used to determine if the medical necessity and
applicable coverage criteria for durable medical equipment, prosthetic, and
orthotic supplies (DMPEOS) have been meet. The Program Integrity Manual (PIM),
Chapter 3, section 3.4.1.1, which may be reviewed at
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/downloads/pim83c03.pdf on the CMS website,
states that Medicare requires a legible identifier for services
provided/ordered. The method used should be hand written including facsimiles
of original written 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.
Additional Information
If you have questions, please contact your Medicare contractor at their
toll-free number which may be found at
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/CallCenterTollNumDirectory.zip
on the CMS website.
For complete details regarding this Change Request (CR) please see the
official instruction (CR6261) issued to your Medicare A/B MAC, DME/MAC, carrier,
FI or RHHI. That instruction may be viewed by going to
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/downloads/R281PI.pdf on the CMS website.
Effective Date: February 2, 2009; Implementation Date:
February 2, 2009
Signature and Date Stamps for DME Supplies-Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMNs) and DME MAC Information Forms (DIFs) Reference: Trans. 281, CR #6261, Pub. 100-08, MLN: MM6261
