General Surgery Coding Alert - 2011 Issue 3
Lab Coding: Labs Can Stop Sweating Physician Signatures for Now
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Article Overview
This article reviews a CMS postponement involving signature requirements for paper requisitions used in laboratory billing under Medicare. It explains the broader documentation context, including how the policy relates to clinical lab services, potential implications for pathology workflows, and what general signature documentation standards are referenced in Medicare guidance. The piece is relevant to laboratory billing staff, pathologists, compliance teams, and other providers who handle requisitions and Medicare documentation.
Why This Topic Matters
The topic affects whether certain lab and pathology claims may be paid under Medicare and highlights documentation practices that can trigger denials or audit issues. It is important for organizations that submit paper requisitions or maintain policies for lab order documentation.
Article Sections
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CMS delays implementation of signature requirement
Discusses the postponement of a Medicare policy change and the timing of the delayed education and enforcement period.
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Paper requisitions only
Explains the scope of the policy as it relates to paper requisitions and references alternative order methods mentioned in Medicare guidance.
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Why the change
Summarizes the stated policy background and broader administrative concerns cited in connection with the change.
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What About Anatomic Pathology?
Addresses how the policy may extend to pathology-related requisitions and the operational issues that could arise in surgical settings.
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Possible solution
Notes practical documentation workflow approaches discussed in the article for handling requisition signatures in pathology settings.
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Pathology Add-Ons Appear Safe
Covers pathology add-on services and references related Medicare manual guidance on self-ordering in pathology cases.
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Chicken Scratch Won't Count
Describes general Medicare signature documentation standards and forms of corroborating documentation referenced for audit review.
What You Will Learn
- The Medicare policy area discussed in the article
- How the timing change affects paper requisition documentation
- Which broad lab and pathology workflows are implicated
- What general documentation standards are referenced for signatures
- Which Medicare guidance sources are cited for further reference
Who Should Read This
- Laboratory billing staff
- Pathologists
- Medical practice compliance staff
- Hospital revenue cycle teams
- Physician office staff handling requisitions
- Medicare reimbursement specialists
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