Time is Running Out - a message from CMS, March 27, 2009

DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation – Time is Running Out

Deadline is September 30, 2009

Time is running out for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) who bill Medicare under Part B to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009.  While the accreditation process takes on average 6-7 months to complete, the process could take as long as 9 months to complete.  Accordingly, DMEPOS suppliers should contact an accreditation organization right away to obtain information about the accreditation process and submit an application.

In order to retain or obtain a Medicare Part B billing number, all DMEPOS suppliers (except for exempted professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary) must comply with the Medicare program’s supplier standards and quality standards to become accredited. The accreditation requirement applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment, medical supplies, home dialysis supplies and equipment, therapeutic shoes, parenteral/enteral nutrition, transfusion medicine and prosthetic devices, and prosthetics and orthotics. 

Pharmacies, pedorthists, mastectomy fitters, orthopedic fitters/technicians and athletic trainers must also meet the September 30, 2009 deadline for DMEPOS accreditation.  Certain eligible professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary are exempt from the accreditation requirement.  

Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements along with a list of the accreditation organizations and those professionals and other persons exempted from accreditation may be found at the CMS website:  www.cms.hhs.gov/medicareprovidersupenroll.

CLICK HERE to read an MLN article regarding the accreditation process.

February 24, 2009 DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation – Get It Now:

CMS wants to remind suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) who bill Medicare under Part B that they must obtain accreditation by September 30, 2009. In order to retain or obtain a Medicare Part B billing number, all DMEPOS suppliers (except for exempted professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary) must comply with Medicare’s supplier and quality standards and become accredited. Read more...
http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0209/cope9392.html 

Dec 12, 2008 - CIGNA offers clarification on who is exempt from the September 30, 2009 accreditation deadline.

CLICK HERE to read the CIGNA Communication.

UPDATE! - On October 21, 2008, CMS issued revised Quality Standards!  CLICK HERE

DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, PROSTHETICS, ORTHOTICS AND SUPPLIES (DMEPOS) ACCREDITATION
Overview

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance regarding Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) furnished by certain health care professionals and persons. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) required all DMEPOS suppliers to meet quality standards for Medicare accreditation by September 30, 2009. In addition, MIPPA stated that certain professionals and persons do not have to meet this deadline unless quality standards are developed specific to these professionals and persons.
Background Information
Section 302 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) added a new paragraph 1834(a)(20) to the Social Security Act (the Act). This paragraph required the Secretary to establish and implement quality standards for suppliers of DMEPOS. All suppliers that furnish such items or services set out at subparagraph 1834(a)(20)(D) as the Secretary determines appropriate must comply with the quality standards in order to receive Medicare Part B payments and to retain a supplier billing number. Pursuant to subparagraph 1834(a)(20)(D) of the Act, the covered items and services are defined in section 1834 (a) (13), section 1834 (h) (4) and section 1842 (s) (2) of the Act. The covered items include:
•DME
•Medical supplies;
•Home dialysis supplies and equipment;
•Therapeutic shoes;
•Parenteral and enteral nutrient, equipment and supplies;
•Transfusion medicine; and
•Prosthetic devices, prosthetics, and orthotics. 

Accrediting Bodies that are GAMES members

Accreditation Commission for Health Care           
Deric Rutledge                             
4700 Falls of Neuse Rd, Suite 280                             
Raliegh, NC  27609   
919-785-1214  x218                         
drutledge@achc.org

Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation               
Gabriel Nicholas              
217 West 4th St                
Waterloo, IA  50701   
866-909-4722    
gabe.nicholas@hqaa.org
CLICK HERE for HQAA Accreditation Guidelines
CLICK HERE for workshop in Orlando on January 27, 2009.

The Compliance Team, Inc.         
Sandy Canally 
P.O. Box 160                      
Spring House, PA  19477   
215-654-9110    
cteam@mac.com

For a complete list of the Accrediting Organizations approved by CMS CLICK HERE. 
 

Accreditation Deadlines for DMEPOS Suppliers

Existing DMEPOS suppliers, with the exception of those eligible professionals and other persons mentioned above, that are enrolled in the Medicare program are required to obtain and submit proof of accreditation to the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) by September 30, 2009. The NSC will revoke a DMEPOS supplier’s billing privileges on October 1, 2009.
The accreditation process may take up to 9 months to complete for an enrolled DMEPOS supplier that submits a complete application to the Accreditation Organizations (AOs) and has no deficiencies to correct post onsite-survey. Therefore, all enrolled DMEPOS suppliers, except those eligible professionals and other persons mentioned above, will need to submit a complete accreditation application to the accreditation organizations (AOs) by January 31, 2009. This is to ensure that the DMEPOS supplier will receive an accreditation decision (provided that they meet the all the accreditation requirements) by September 30, 2009.
If an enrolled DMEPOS supplier does not submit a complete accreditation application to the AOs by January 31, 2009, CMS cannot ensure that the AOs will be able to accredit them by the September 30, 2009 deadline.
Since March 1, 2008, new DMEPOS suppliers submitting an enrollment application to the NSC (excepting those eligible professionals and other persons mentioned above) must be accredited prior to submitting the application. The NSC will not approve any DMEPOS supplier's enrollment application if the enrollment package does not contain an approved accreditation upon receipt or in response to a developmental request. The NSC shall reject the enrollment application unless the DMEPOS supplier provides supporting documentation that demonstrates that the supplier has an approved accreditation.

Stay Informed!

CLICK HERE to access the CMS webpage containing updated information on DMEPOS accreditation.

CMS clarifies MIPPA guidance for DME Accreditation. CLICK HERE to read  a Summary and Explanation by Mark Higley, VP-Development, VGM Group, Inc. regarding Accreditation information for O & P.

Read the Hospice Rules.

CLICK HERE to read the communication from CIGNA.