(a) Beneficiary incapable. When a party specified in §424.36(b) signs a claim or request for payment statement, he or she must also submit a brief statement that—

(1) Describes his or her relationship to the beneficiary; and

(2) Explains the circumstances that make it impractical for the beneficiary to sign the claim or statement.

(b) Beneficiary not present for services. When a representative of the provider, nonparticipating hospital, or supplier signs a claim or request for payment statement under §424.36(c), he or she must explain why it was not possible to obtain the beneficiary's signature. (For example: “Patient not physically present for test.”)

[53 FR 6640, Mar. 2, 1988; 53 FR 12945, Apr. 20, 1988]