Completing a CMN or DIF

5.5.1 – Completing a CMN or DIF (Rev. 10749; Issued: 05-11-21; Effective: 06-11-21; Implementation: 06-11-21) The "Initial Date" found in Section A of the CMN, should be either the specific date that the physician gives as the start of the medical necessity or, if the physician does not give a specific start date, the "Initial Date" would be the date of the order. The "Signature Date" is the date the physician signed and dated Section D of the CMN. This date might not be the same as the "Initial Date", since the "Signature Date" must indicate when the physician signed Section D of the CMN. Medicare requires a legible identifier for services provided/ordered. The method used shall be handwritten or an electronic signature in accordance with chapter 3, section 3.4.1.1 to sign an order or other medical record documentation for medical review purposes. Signature and date stamps are not acceptable for use on CMNs and DIFs. The "Delivery Date/Date of Service" on the claim must not precede the "Initial Date" on the CMN or DIF or the start date on the written order. To ensure that an item is still medically necessary, the delivery date/date of service must be within 3 months from the "Initial Date" of the CMN or DIF or 3 months from the date of the physician's signature. The DME MACs and UPICs have the authority to request to verify the information on a CMN or DIF at any time. If the information contained either in the supplier’s records or in the patient’s medical record maintained by the ordering physician fails to substantiate the CMN or DIF, or if it appears that the CMN or DIF has been altered, the DME MACs and UPICs should deny the service and initiate the appropriate administrative or corrective actions. In the event of a post pay audit, the supplier must be able to produce the CMN or DIF and, if requested by the DME MACs or UPICs DME produce information to substantiate the information on the CMN or DIF. If the supplier cannot produce this information, the DME MACs and UPICs should deny the service and initiate the appropriate administrative or corrective actions. If there is a change made to any section of the CMN after the physician has signed the CMN, the physician must line through the error, initial and date the correction; or the supplier may choose to have the physician complete a new CMN.