Medicare mandates that all suppliers of Part B DMEPOS items, equipment and/or supplies must be accredited in order to receive reimbursement for the items.
Though this mandate has been in place for several years, accreditation continues to be an important component of business for HME providers as they not only need to renew their accreditation every three years, but they also need to gain accreditation for new services in order to satisfy various payors. This is especially true as they diversify in order to offset the impact of CMS’s national competitive bidding program on their businesses.
There are 10 deemed organizations on the CMS list of accrediting organizations. Some of the accrediting organizations are better suited to help particular providers based on their product/category specialties. It’s then up to the process of the accrediting organizations as to the steps needed. Once the preparation is complete the surveyor would then perform an onsite visit to verify and validate that they meet the CMS quality standards. They then are given a certificate of accreditation and it is reported to CMS.
Accreditation time varies based on the provider’s scope and scale of business, as well as the complexity of the policies and procedures it must integrate. If you are getting accredited for new product lines, be realistic, as the process could last four to six months. Also, providers need to investigate whether their accrediting body offers any “accelerated tracks” to help quickly achieve compliance. Some organizations also offer post-accreditation service to assist providers in maintaining standards between accreditation periods.
Here’s a look at some of recent offerings from some of the 10 accreditation organizations serving HMEs:
Efficient Accreditation from HQAA
- Features an Online Workroom to efficiently manage the standards documentation process in small, incremental steps.
- Provides coaches to review individual documents, and provide answers, support and encouragement throughout the process.
- Offers ACT post-accreditation service to maintain high quality standards between accreditation periods.
Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation
(866) 909-4722
www.hqaa.org
Customizable Sleep Care Program
- Founded in 1994 by Sandra C. Canally, RN, The Compliance Team is the first privately held, woman-owned healthcare accreditation organization to receive deeming authority from CMS.
- Accreditation programs include: Critical Access Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, Medical Home, Infusion/Specialty & LTC Pharmacy, DMEPOS, Diagnostic Sleep Center, Home Health Agency, Private Duty, Hospice Care and Ocularist.
- Offers a new Exemplary Provider accreditation for Sleep Care Management that is customizable to cover all sleep medicine delivery models including home sleep testing and DMEPOS (medical devices and supplies) enterprises as well as facility-based and non-traditional diagnostic centers, and dental sleep medicine practices.
The Compliance Team Inc.
(215) 654-9110
www.TheComplianceTeam.org
Updated Website for ACHC
- The ISO 9001:2000 certified organization offers seven accrediting programs: DMEPOS, Pharmacy, Sleep, Home Health, Hospice and Behavioral Health.
- Product and service offerings including a transition program, a new website, a recent move, ISO certification and an updated customer central website.
- Features a “checklist for success” workbook, which takes organizations step by step through each of ACHC’s standards and accreditation process. The workbook is designed for both new and existing agencies and will include best practices, survey tips and various tools to maintain compliance.
Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc.
(919) 785-1214
www.ACHC.org
Broad O&P Certification Standards Criteria
- ABC accreditation standards create a baseline for minimal expectations of the physical environment and organizational function of O&P patient care locations.
- Standards are grouped into eight categories, such as Administrative, Patient Records, Human Resources, Patient Care and Management, Product Safety and Claims and Billing Compliance.
- Starting this year, ABC has increased the number of certification exams to six times a year for all discipline-specific written and written simulation exams.
American Board for Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.
(703) 836-7114
www.abcop.org
Flexible Standards and Experienced Site Inspectors
- CHAP has created accreditation Standards of Excellence for HME which reflect state and federal laws, and the latest best practice information in the industry, as well as Medicare Supplier and Quality Standards.
- CHAP standards provide guidance and structure, and are flexible to accommodate many business models. The standards detail necessary requirements and components of policies and procedures.
- CHAP site visitors have at least five years middle-senior management experience in the service line in which they perform Site Visits, and maintain a current license in their home state. Site Visitors receive ongoing training and development.
Community Health Accreditation Program
(202) 862-3413
www.chapinc.org
Knowledgeable Assistance, Step-by-Step Process
- BOC standards have been developed to be inclusive of CMS standards for DMEPOS providers, as well as federal regulations and requirements.
- BOC’s Accreditation program provides a step-by-step system with expert guidance and assistance to help providers earn accreditation for their HME businesses.
- BOC offers one-on-one help from its accreditation experts who will answer providers’ questions and offer detailed guidance.
Board of Certification/Accreditation
(877) 776-2200
www.bocusa.org
