Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a process that an organization will undertake to confirm and show that they are providing products and performing services that parallel specific standards and criteria that are recognized within the HME industry. In the past the accreditation process was voluntary. Most HME providers would undertake this process both for internal operational reasons and to also fulfill the requirements of Managed Care and Third Party HME Provider contracts.

With the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), Medicare has mandated that all Part B Medicare Providers of DMEPOS must complete this process and be issued a certificate of accreditation prior to September 30, 2009. If the provider is not accredited by this date, Medicare will no longer pay this provider for services and HME items dispensed to Medicare beneficiaries. The non-accredited provider will loose their Medicare provider number. The accreditation process should take most HME providers between 6 months and one year to complete, with an associate or committee dedicated to this process on a full-time basis.

HME Quality Standards:

CMS has published the final draft of their HME Quality Standards. To review these standards, you may go to the CMS web-site specific to them. Be sure that you review the New Quality Standards for Suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies [PDF, 90KB] - posted 8-15-06. The site is:
www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS/04_New_Quality_Standards.asp

Accreditation Organizations:

In November 2006, CMS announced their approved list of accreditation organizations for Medicare Part B Providers. These ten "Deemed Status" accrediting organizations are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Accreditation Commission for Healthcare, Inc. (ACHC)
• American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetic, Inc.
• Board of Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification
• Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
• Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP)
• The Compliance Team, Inc.
• HealthCare Quality Association on Accreditation
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
• The National Board of Accreditation for Orthotic Suppliers

You may access additional contact information at the following CMS site:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOSS

Click on “Downloads” and access “Deemed Accreditation Organizations for Suppliers of DMEPOS”

Helpful Steps

Weir & Associates Accreditation Steps

Resources:

Outside Consultants - You may contract with an outside consultant or consulting group. Make sure you define what role this consultant will take within your company and what your expectations are for completion of the accreditation process while utilizing this outside resource.

Trade Journals - There are a number of HME trade journals that will provide ongoing information regarding Medicare's accreditation mandate from the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Many of these trade magazines will also provide a weekly e-letter that will inform you of any changes or publication from CMS specific to accreditation. Be sure that you are subscribing to HME journals, as most pharmacy trade magazines or other medical journals do not provide information specific to the HME industry.

Accreditation Manuals - When you contract with an accreditation organization you will purchase their manual of standards. There are a number of policy and procedure manuals that are available that will provide you with the written information that you will need to fulfill the intent of these standards. Remember, the accreditation organization provides the manual of standards; the standards are the requirements that you will need to review and fulfill when you write your policy and procedures. The standard is the "abstract" and your policy is written specific to the standard. If you purchase an accreditation policy and procedure manual, be sure to review each standard and be sure that all policies and procedures fulfill the intent of the standard. Bob Weir will provide additional information on an Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual that is available thru W&A.

Seminars - Seminars are available on both a national and/or regional basis. The yearly MedTrade convention and MedTrade West will provide seminars and discussion groups regarding all aspects of the HME industry. Smaller regional seminars specific to accreditation will also be available.
 

Footnote:

This information was written in October 2008 and is current as of this date. It is in the best interest of all HME Part B Providers to start this process as soon as possible. This information was provided by Bob Weir is specific to the accreditation process as defined by Medicare as of the date that this information was written.
 

Consultant:
 

Bob Weir
Weir and Associates
P.O. Box 395
Warner Springs, Ca. 92086-0395
(760) 782-0202/office
(760) 782-0901/fax
weirassociates@msn.com

 

Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual:
 

HME Solutions – HME Accreditation Simplified
www.hmeaccreditationsimplified.com

This accreditation policy and procedure manual is written for:
 

• ACHC

• CHAP

• JCAHO

When ordering this complete accreditation policy and procedure manual you will be asked a number of question specific to your HME company. This web-based site will also ask which accreditation organization you are utilizing for your accreditation process. This will ensure that your policy and procedure manual will be specific to your company. On the question line that asks, "Where did you hear about us?" please type in Bob Weir. When you type in this information, we will add you to our client list and automatically advise you of any seminars or additional accreditation resources available thru Weir & Associates.