CMS issued a final rule on Aug. 1 on the requirements for accreditation for DME suppliers, paving the way for competitive bidding to roll out in 2007.
According to the American Association of Homecare (AAHomecare) the rule “details the application process for accrediting organizations that would apply quality standards for all HME providers.”
The quality standards that providers will have to meet are likely to be published soon. As soon as the quality standards are released, accrediting agencies will compare their current standards to those released by CMS and make any necessary changes. After refining their quality standards, accrediting organizations will apply for Medicare Deemed Status which will allow them to actually accredit providers.
The likely accrediting agencies include the Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc. (ACHC), the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), The Compliance Team, the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA), and ABC/BOC, the prosthetics and orthotics group.
In order for DMEs to submit a competitive bid in 2007, they have to be accredited. Due to the limited time providers have to become accredited and cost concerns, CMS has attempted to minimize the burden to providers by: encouraging accrediting bodies not to expand upon quality standards; selecting several accrediting agencies; encouraging accrediting bodies to minimize fees for smaller providers; ensuring that accreditation is about complying with quality standards and not purchasing consulting services or manuals; and reducing ramp-up costs by utilizing unannounced surveys.
Accrediting agencies are encouraging providers to get started now rather than waiting until the quality standards are released.
Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC)
(919) 785-1214
www.achc.org/.
Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP)
(800) 656-9656
www.chapinc.org/.
The Compliance Team
(215) 654-9110
www.exemplaryprovider.com/.
Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA)
(866) 909-4722
www.hqaa.org/.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
(630) 792-5000
www.jcaho.org/.
ABC/BOC
American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics
(703) 836-7114
www.abcop.org/.
