Signature again required on 'Important Message'
Signature again required on 'Important Message'
Follow-up notice added to process
Beginning this month, the "Important Message From Medicare" once again has to be signed by the patient.
Years ago, in an effort to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy — and after a lengthy and passionate campaign by providers — what is now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) eliminated the signature requirement, deciding that giving patients the information upon admission was sufficient.
Effective July 2007, a revised Important Message (IM) must be issued within two days of admission and signed by Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage patients. Hospitals also will be required to deliver a copy of the signed IM before the patient leaves the hospital. According to CMS, the follow-up notice will serve as reminder of the earlier notification about the beneficiary's discharge rights.
The second step would not be required if the initial delivery and signing of the IM took place within two days of discharge.
The revised IM will include the following:
- a statement of patient's rights
- information about when a beneficiary will and will not be liable for charges for a continued stay in the hospital
- a detailed description of the Quality Improvement Organization appeal rights
- language stressing the importance of discussing discharge planning issues with physicians, insurers, or hospital staff to minimize the potential for disputes about hospital discharge.
More information is available at www.cms.hhs.gov.
Years ago, in an effort to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy -- and after a lengthy and passionate campaign by providers -- what is now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) eliminated the signature requirement, deciding that giving patients the information upon admission was sufficient.Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.