Signature Requirements for Hospice Terminal Illness Certifications
On August 24, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Change Request (CR) 5550, which updates physician signature requirements when signing terminal illness certifications. The CMS Manual System, Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 3, Section 3.4.1.1 (B) now states, 'Noted Exception: Signature(s) of the physician(s) must be written on the certifications of terminal illness for hospice.'
What this means for hospice providers is that electronic and stamped signatures will no longer be accepted on terminal illness certifications. Therefore, in accordance with CR 5550, effective September 3, 2007, claims that are reviewed either on a prepayment or postpayment basis will be denied if the physician's signature dated September 3, 2007 or later, is not hand written on the certification of terminal illness.