Proposed documentation rule unlikely to be finalized

Article Overview

This article discusses a proposed CMS change in the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that would alter how long certain ordering and referring documentation must be retained and what information it must contain. It explains why the proposal drew attention from physicians, suppliers, and labs, and why commenters believed the rule might be modified before finalization. The piece is relevant for anyone tracking Medicare documentation requirements, compliance risk, and the practical impact of proposed payment-policy changes.