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Ensure valid physician orders

Patient Access Weekly Advisor, June 18, 2008

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With a few exceptions, such as flu, pneumonia vaccines, and screening mammograms, scheduled service requests must be based on a valid physician order.

Although verbal orders can be initially accepted under certain circumstances defined in an organization’s bylaws, all orders must be formally signed by the ordering physician. An authenticated signature can be written, stamped, faxed, or digital.

According to Medicare, a physician order must include the following elements in order to be considered valid:

• Reason for ordering the test or service (diagnosis description, ICD-9 code, sign(s), symptoms)
• Test or service requested
• Provider’s name
• Provider’s signature
• Patient complete name
• Patient date of birth

Note: This tip was featured in The Patient Access Director’s Handbook.To learn more about this book, click here.

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