CMS Explains Dates on Face-to-Face Encounter

CMS published Revised Questions & Answers to Home Health Face-to-Face Encounters on February 28, 2013. The answers to Question 16 and Question 17 states that home health agencies are allowed to title and date the face-to-face encounter documentation when the signed documentation is not titled and dated by the certifying physician. The home health agency can utilize the day they receive the documentation as the date.  It is not clear in the answers if the home health agency can utilize an earlier date such as the date that the physician actually signed the document.

For more information please utilize the following link.

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/HomeHealthPPS/Downloads/Home-Health-Questions-Answers.pdf