News and Updates

Once More Medicare Suppliers Urged to Get Accredited Now

(July 15, 2008)

New provisions may become law in H.R. 6331

Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Sandra Bastinelli, MS, RN urged Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers not to delay in getting their DMEPOS accreditation process underway.  She said the timeframe from application to accreditation can take six months.  The deadline for DMEPOS accreditation set by CMS for all suppliers is September 30, 2009.  In the months preceding it, Bastinelli said the accrediting organizations will not be able to handle a rush by suppliers that have failed to start their accreditation process earlier.

Bastinelli pointed out that if H.R. 6331 (The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008) becomes law, an accreditation deadline will be placed in statute and cannot be postponed by CMS.  With this in statute, there is “no flexibility there at all,” she said.

The audio conference was an educational session on the Medicare Part B DMEPOS accreditation requirements.  A playback is available until midnight on July 22 by dialing 1-800-642-1687 (passcode 49364905).  Click here for the presentation materials.

We note that while H.R. 6331 would delay competitive bidding, it strengthens the accreditation requirement by setting a statutory accreditation deadline on October 1, 2009.  The bill requires accreditation for suppliers, as well as for any of a supplier’s subcontractors that furnish DMEPOS items and services to Medicare beneficiaries.  However, it provides the Department of Health and Human Services with authority to exempt professionals such as physicians from DMEPOS accreditation.

Home infusion pharmacies should not assume they have met Medicare’s DMEPOS accreditation requirements through their current accreditation status.  NHIA members may find out more on this at the NHIA Competitive Bidding Resource Center, in its section on Medicare quality standards.