A Complete Guide to Electronic Doctor Signatures

PDFLiner is one of the most reliable platforms that focus on the e-signature needs of the healthcare industry. In this post, we’ll let you in on the notion of doctor signatures, the main benefits of e-signatures, requirements for legally valid doctor signatures, as well as the instructions on how to use PDFLiner to create a legally binding electronic doctor signature and save lots of time along the way.

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doctor's signature

Requirements for a Legally Valid Doctor Signature

Now that you’re here, we’re sure you no longer ask the ‘How do doctors sign their name?’ question. But you might be interested in the exact requirements for a legally binding medical doctor sign. Medical documentation in the U.S. must follow Medicare signature requirements.

There are strict criteria for validating a physician or non-physician practitioner’s signatures. In case entries are left without doctor signatures or dates, they may not be accepted as valid by the Medicare claims reviewers. Below, you will find the requirements for a legally valid doctor signature from the main medical authorities in the U.S.:

  • you must use your signature for the services you provided or ordered;
  • your signature must be written by hand or placed digitally;
  • your signature must be decipherable or comparable to your attestation statement/signature log.

What Are the Benefits of Electronic Physician Signatures

Here are the main advantages of using a dr. signature in your digital documents:

  • enhanced security: digital signatures help prevent paperwork loss, fraud, and misleading document modifications. Generally, an electronic signature of a doctor bolsters patient file privacy;
  • increased accuracy: doctor e-signatures reduce missed data input, refine clarity, as well as allow for speedy corrections;
  • no more waiting: these days, everyone who’s involved in the healthcare sector no longer has to wait for emails, faxes, couriers — with e-signatures and online document management platforms, it’s all a matter of a few taps;
  • effective interaction: a doctor signature stamp from a reliable service results in speedier approvals, faster document exchange, and overall time-efficient communication in the medical field;
  • boosted workflow: e-signatures allow you to manage files within instants, thus, upgrading the workflow quality and making managing medical files as seamless as possible.

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How Can Doctors Use PDFLiner to Make Paper Work Easier

If there’s one field that associates with managing heaps of documentation and signatures, it’s definitely medicine. Almost every procedure in the field of patient care requires an approving (and rather time-consuming) doctor signature.

In a world where saving time is at a premium, speeding up the whole paper management process is in high demand. That’s where PDFLiner comes into play. If you work in the healthcare industry, chances are you’re feeling stressed and overworked. With PDFLiner, you will succeed in focusing on your patients (and getting some rest) instead of rummaging through the annoying paperwork.

Here’s a quick guide on how you can add a signature to your files using PDFLiner:

1. Upload your document or find the necessary form in our extensive medical form catalog.

Finding a medical form

2. Find the ‘Add Sign’ button in the upper left menu and click on it.

Adding signature to doctor note

3. Choose the most preferred option for generating your e-signature.

Choosng a way to sign doctor note

4. Position your signature where you want it to be on your file, and that’s about it.

Doctor Signature in a PDF

Aside from serving as a top-notch doctor’s signature generator, PDFLiner helps you with all your healthcare-related paperwork. By making the most of our platform, you will work at the speed of light, on the go, and from anywhere, while saving space and money along the way. For example, some professionals prefer to use PDFLiner to fill out and sign TB Test Result Form. Also, via our platform, you get the possibility to securely share your documents with as many recipients as you choose.

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FAQ

The following section clarifies some questions regarding doctors’ signatures you might find useful to know about. Read them to understand the details on the topic.

Can physicians use electronic signatures?

Sure. Physicians can (and do!) use digital signatures instead of handwritten ones on a regular basis. This makes signing prescriptions and keeping patient records easy and effective.

Can medical records be signed electronically?

Yes, the healthcare industry is legally allowed to use digital signatures. However, they must conform to the HIPAA (a federal law that determines national standards for patient data privacy and protection).

Is PDFLiner secure enough?

Yes, definitely. By making the most of PDFLiner, you can add a legally binding e-signature to your files and password-protect them for maximum security. Super safe and convenient.

How long do doctors have to keep healthcare records?

According to federal law, each patient’s medical record should be kept and retained for a minimum of 7 years from the last service date. For Medicare Advantage patients, the files should be stored for 10 years before they are allowed to be destroyed.

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Liza Zdrazhevska
Content Marketer at PDFLiner