Questions abound regarding mandatory accreditation and competitive bidding. Many accrediting agencies are authorized to accredit all major supplier types, but specific information about what each organization is approved to accredit is posted at: www.cms.hhs.gov CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS. Which agency is right for you? A great way to find out is to call the various agencies (see boxed list) and ask for references that you may contact. Also check with your referral sources to determine if they require a particular accreditation agency.

DO YOU HAVE TO BECOME ACCREDITED?

If you bill Medicare or Medicaid and wish to continue billing, you must become accredited. While the list of 10 MSAs for the first round of competitive bidding has not yet come out as of press time, the list of the 20 MSAs from which the selection will be made is out.

All providers billing Medicare Part B within the first 10 MSAs will have to be accredited during 2007 to continue to bill Part B. This includes companies that have patients within the MSAs—even if the actual business is located outside of the MSA.

All providers billing Medicare Part B within the next 80 MSAs will have to be accredited in 2008 to continue to bill Part B. All providers nationwide will have to be accredited within the next 3 years. All surveys will be unannounced and on-site. The corporate office for a system with multiple locations also will have an unannounced survey.

HOW MUCH DOES ACCREDITATION COST?

Each accrediting body calculates the accreditation fee a little differently. First, your chosen accreditation agency will charge a fee. From there, you can purchase a policy and procedure manual (these vary in cost), and you may decide to hire professional consulting assistance that includes policy and procedure manual implementation, compliance assessment, and a mock survey.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

With the support and cooperation of a well-intentioned staff and your concentrated efforts, you should be able to complete the process in 6 to 10 months. The amount of time will be reduced if you have some of the major accreditation-required processes in place such as an established compliance program, performance management program, equipment tracking, employee orientation process, and continuing education.

IF I AM LICENSED, WHY DO I NEED ACCREDITATION?

Licensure is a state-by-state requirement. At this time, there are approximately 22 states that require HME licensure/certification, which is granted to a specific individual within a particular division of the company. Accreditation is a national standard that covers the entire organization’s level of excellence.

IS IN-SERVICE EDUCATION REQUIRED?

All accrediting agencies require continuing education for all employees. The education should include: infection control; client/patient rights and responsibility; ethics and cultural diversities; safety; hazardous materials; emergency preparedness; and corporate compliance. If you have credentialed or licensed staff members, they must meet state-required continuing education with documented proof for the surveyor to review.

IS A POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL NECESSARY?

Absolutely! Any company that is seeking accreditation must have a policy and procedure manual that demonstrates compliance to the accreditation agency’s standards. Seek advice from your peers and an experienced consultant who has reviewed numerous policy and procedure manuals and has seen them implemented successfully. A good policy and procedure manual will give you the working foundation for a compliant organization.

If you purchased a manual prior to the announcement of the CMS Quality Standards, it must be updated to comply. Make sure when purchasing a manual that the author offers updates of regulatory changes as they come about. A policy and procedure manual is a tool that must be used in your daily operations.

DOES MY STAFF NEED SPECIAL TRAINING TO BE PART OF ACCREDITATION?

Yes, each staff member must have documentation that demonstrates they have had orientation and training for their job responsibilities and are competent to fulfill their duties. Delivery technician certification is not an accreditation requirement, but I strongly recommend your driver techs participate in this program that is offered through your state HME association.

All technical/clinical staff—those who work in the field setting up equipment, educating clients, or repairing equipment—must have an annual competency assessment to validate their skills and job knowledge. Even though the accrediting organizations do not require general in-house staff to have competency assessments, I feel it is an excellent evaluation tool that should be used during the annual performance review for all employees.

WHAT DO I GET OUT OF BEING ACCREDITED?

Wayne M. Link

You will be able to participate in the competitive bidding process and bill Medicare Part B. It will improve your credibility with provider networks and managed care. In the bigger picture, accreditation improves your company’s overall effectiveness by streamlining your business operations and organization skills, improving patient care through increased education, and creating a foundation of cohesive cooperation among your staff.

Wayne M. Link is a specialist in HME/DME company accreditation, consulting, and preparation. On April 24, at 2:45, he will present Accreditation Success: It Can be Done! at Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas. Check the show directory for the specific room. Link is the founder and president of Link Consulting Group Inc, Columbus, NC, and can be reached via e-mail: .