electronic signature

Documentation Guidelines for E/M allow ROS and PFSH information to be "recorded by ancillary staff or on a form completed by the patient. To document that the physician reviewed the information, there must be a notation suplementing or confirming the information recorded by others." We have been having our physicians sign said form documenting they in fact did review the form as well as make notation in their dictation. Our forms are now being submitted by the patient on-line and submitted electonically directly into their chart. (No more paper form to sign off on.) Would an electronic signature by the physician on the chart pass an audit as acceptable documentation they had reviewed the form? Also, a statement in the dictation states they have reviewed said form. Thank you
Elaine at TOCA
Phoenix, AZ

of course!!

CMS is aware that electronic signatures are authentic and acceptable- your inclusion of the statement makes it double ok!