US · guidance
CMS SOM App. B, Tag G576
§484.60(a)(3) All patient care orders, including verbal orders, must be recorded in
the plan of care.
Interpretive Guidelines §484.60(a)(3)
All patient care orders, including verbal orders are part of the plan of care. The plan of
care may include orders for treatment or services received from physicians other than the
responsible physician. The plan should be revised to reflect any verbal order received
during the 60-day certification period so that all HHA staff are working from a current
plan. It is not necessary for the physician or allowed practitioner to sign an updated plan
of care until the patient is recertified to continue care and the plan of care is updated to
reflect all current ongoing orders including any verbal orders received during the 60-day
period.
NOTE: Pulse oximetry is a ubiquitous assessment tool, often used as a part of routine
vital signs across health care providers. Routine monitoring of vital signs, including
pulse oximetry, do not require a physician order.
History
Rev. 219; Issued: 04-12-24; Effective: 04-12-24; Implementation: 04-12-24
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-07-22
- Edition
- som-2026-07-22
- Content hash
0b8211f7d0e2685d59f4e7a0b382c88cc67d7ee019f75b051708ffab6506e477
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