decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2008 Issue 11 (November)
Medicare: No signature required for ordering tests paid on fee schedule
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Article Overview
This article is for gastroenterology practices, physicians, and coding/documentation staff who need to understand Medicare’s clarification on how diagnostic test orders should be documented. It covers the acceptable ways an order may be communicated, the associated recordkeeping expectations, and the scope of Medicare manual updates affecting fee-schedule-based diagnostic testing and related physician services.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate documentation of diagnostic test orders affects compliance with Medicare policy and helps practices avoid avoidable documentation deficiencies. The article clarifies a Medicare manual update that changes how staff should think about signatures, record retention, and order documentation for fee-schedule-paid testing.
What You Will Learn
- How Medicare defines an order for a diagnostic test
- What documentation methods Medicare recognizes for communicating an order
- What recordkeeping expectations apply to the ordering and testing facilities
- What Medicare manual language was updated regarding signatures
- Which broad categories of diagnostic testing and physician services are addressed by the clarification
Who Should Read This
- Gastroenterologists
- Physicians
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance staff
- Practice administrators
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