The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services has proposed a rule that would rescind a policy requiring physicians or qualified non-physician practitioners to include their signature on lab requisitions.
The policy, which went into effect this year as part of the physician fee schedule final rule, was frowned upon by lawmakers and healthcare industry stakeholders, including the American Hospital Association. Opponents raised concerns that the signature requirement would impose unnecessary burdens and could result in delayed services and patient harm.
The proposed rule is open to a 60-day comment period.
Read CMS proposed rule for lab requisition signatures (pdf).
Related Articles on CMS Proposed Rules:
AHA Wants CMS to Reduce Coding Offset for 2012 IPPS
5 Points on CMS' Proposed Rule on Releasing Claims Data
"Disappointed" Cleveland Clinic Recommends Changes to Proposed ACO Rule
The policy, which went into effect this year as part of the physician fee schedule final rule, was frowned upon by lawmakers and healthcare industry stakeholders, including the American Hospital Association. Opponents raised concerns that the signature requirement would impose unnecessary burdens and could result in delayed services and patient harm.
The proposed rule is open to a 60-day comment period.
Read CMS proposed rule for lab requisition signatures (pdf).
Related Articles on CMS Proposed Rules:
AHA Wants CMS to Reduce Coding Offset for 2012 IPPS
5 Points on CMS' Proposed Rule on Releasing Claims Data
"Disappointed" Cleveland Clinic Recommends Changes to Proposed ACO Rule