Language in a transmittal issued by CMS in January is creating significant difficulties for clinical laboratories with respect to the agency’s longstanding policy that orders for their services do not require a physician signature. The lab must document that the doctor ordered the test, but this may be done by a written statement, a telephone call, or an e-mail.

In the past month, several labs have reported receiving requests from the contractor overseeing the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) program for an original requisition slip signed by the ordering physician, according to the American Clinical Laboratory Association. At issue is Transmittal 80 (Change Request 5743, Jan. 11, 2008) that includes language indicating that a physician signature is required on a laboratory requisition.

As a result of this confusion, the CERT contractor is now threatening to recoup million of dollars from clinical labs that it believes were paid in error. ACLA has asked CMS to clarify the language as soon as possible. For details, see the May issue of <>G-2 Compliance Report.