Importance of recipient or patient signature
Recipient Signatures
While a recipient signature is not required on individual
claim forms, all providers must obtain a signature to be kept on file, (such as
release forms or sign-in sheets) as
verification that the recipient was present on the date of service for which
the provider seeks payment. Exceptions to the recipient signature are listed
below:
• The recipient signature is not required when there is no
personal contact between recipient and provider, as is usually the case for
laboratory or radiology.
• Illiterate recipients may make their mark, for example,
"X," witnessed by someone with his dated signature after the phrase
"witnessed by."
• A representative may sign for a recipient who is not
competent to sign because of age, mental, or physical impairment.
