It was not exactly “early Summer,” but CMS finally released quality standards for DMEPOS accreditation. Are existing accreditation programs now far more comprehensive than government standards? If so, is this good, bad, or neutral for the industry?

After all, simply meeting government standards is not always a badge of honor. Back in the early 1960s, when bureaucrats began revving up several consumer protection agencies, some thinkers saw the potential problems. In a 1963 essay titled The Assault on Integrity, former federal reserve chairman Alan Greenspan wrote, “The minimum standards, which are the basis of regulation, gradually tend to become the maximums as well.”

Consultant Mary Ellen Conway, president of Capital Healthcare Group LLC, Wash-ington, DC, says limited standards could leave the door open for “fly-by-night” accreditation companies that survey based solely on the 14 pages put out by CMS.

Beyond merely satisfying CMS, a comprehensive accreditation usually translates to better patient service, more efficient business practices, and greater physician trust—which means more referrals. And what is to stop providers from advertising a “deluxe” accreditation that exceeds government standards?

Meanwhile, should we fear those fly-by-nighters? “I do not think that inferior accreditors will suddenly emerge,” says Tom Cesar, president, Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc, Raleigh, NC. “We went through the deeming process last year for home health, and it is not an easy process.”

Organizations that remain will undoubtedly have to determine how their programs mesh with the new standards. “It appears CMS is leaving it up to the accrediting bodies to modify each of our programs according to our interpretation of the standards,” says Sandra Canally, president, The Compliance Team Inc, Spring House, Pa. “It will be interesting to see what CMS will accept as evidence of compliance given the ambiguity of some of their standards.”

Furthermore, one hopes that physicians would not refer to providers with less than stellar accreditation. Ultimately, the power of reputation is and will always be a major competitive tool. As the cliché goes, good reputations are made over many years, but can be lost in a second. DP 

Grassroots Central is back at Medtrade Atlanta and this year we are proud to  welcome Jabal Chase, Health Insurance Specialist for DME Policy at CMS. Chase will speak for 20 minutes on the latest DMEPOS issues to come out of CMS (accreditation standards and more) and participate in a question-and-answer session during the remaining time. Things can change quickly so the agenda will match the issues as they stand on September 20. There are no CMS representatives scheduled during regular Medtrade educational sessions, so this will be a rare opportunity to go face to face with a member of CMS.

• DAY: Wednesday, September 20
• TIME: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• PLACE: Grassroots Central & Accreditation Central area on the trade show floor (aisle 5000)
• WHO: Jabal Chase, Health Insurance Specialist for DME Policy at CMS Atlanta
• WHAT: Chase will speak for 20 minutes on the latest DME issues from CMS and answer questions from attendees for the remainder of the hour.

In addition to our live presentation, computer terminals with Internet access will be available for anyone who wishes to catch up on the latest HME issues and email members of Congress directly from the trade show floor. State association membership applications will also be on display for all who wish to join up and get more involved in the political process.  

Grassroots Central will share the stage with AAHomecare’s Accreditation Central, so one visit to this area will be packed with information. For more information, or if you have questions, call Home Health Care Dealer/Provider editor Greg Thompson at (970) 206-0079 (office) or (970) 567-3210 (cell phone at Medtrade).