In each of the past few months, we have received new deadlines and updates from CMS about accreditation and competitive bidding. Now that we have the
by Mary Ellen Conway, RN, BSN

In each of the past few months, we have received new deadlines
and updates from CMS about accreditation and competitive bidding.
Now that we have the required dates and information, it's time to
get out our pencil and paper, write down some numbers and do a
little long division.

But first, the latest updates.

We recently learned that providers who wish to bid in round two
of competitive bidding must be accredited by Oct. 31, 2008. The
agency also informed providers that they must have applied for
accreditation by May 14.

It's important to note that each of CMS' 10 deemed accreditation
organizations has its own process, and application is not the same
with each.

With some accreditors, such as the Healthcare Quality
Association on Accreditation, you actually apply, get placed into
your “workroom” and start to work through the
standards. You complete the process at your own pace and are
scheduled for your unannounced survey when you have completed your
submissions.

For others, such as the Accreditation Commission for Health
Care, you can send for their standards and begin the process at any
time. You actually “apply” closer to the time that you
are ready for survey.

For example, a provider could have sent for ACHC's standards in
November and then “apply” to be accredited next fall.
But remember that just because you have sent for the standards
doesn't necessarily mean ACHC knows you want to participate in
round two. You'll need to check in before May 14 if you plan to bid
so that you will be aware of any requirements or guidelines the
organization may want to provide.

For still other accreditors, their standards are free to
download, and you apply when you are ready to be accredited. With
those programs, if you apply on May 14, you need to be ready for
survey on May 14. Again, if you are bidding in round two, you
should be in touch with your accreditor so the organization can
advise you on meeting the round two deadlines.

And now the numbers.

Earlier this year, CMS estimated that about 20 percent of DMEPOS
suppliers had become accredited. We knew at the start there were
somewhere between 115,000 and 135,000 supplier numbers. Just to
make the math easy, let's say there were 120,000 suppliers. If 20
percent have become accredited, that would be about 24,000. Again,
for easier math, let's call it 20,000.

That leaves us somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000
suppliers who still have to become accredited by Sept. 30, 2009,
the “drop dead” date when all suppliers must be
accredited in order to continue doing business with Medicare. One
hundred thousand!

If we take the 10 approved accrediting bodies and the 18 months
left before September 2009, that would mean each organization would
have to accredit 10,000 suppliers in the next 18 months, or 556
suppliers per month.

We know that's probably not happening. Five hundred fifty-six
per month, averaging 22 work days per month, would mean accrediting
about 25 suppliers per work day, starting today. Maybe 50,000 by
the end of this year and another 50,000 over the first
three-quarters of next year, or any other combination? I don't know
about you, but I think we need to be concerned.

The numbers are daunting. I can't imagine that many suppliers
that still need to become accredited by Sept. 30, 2009. Let's hope
to hear some updates from CMS about how the progress is going over
the next few months.

And who said you don't use much math after you graduate from
high school?

CMS' 10 deemed accrediting bodies include: Accreditation
Commission for Health Care; American Board for Certification in
Orthotics & Prosthetics; Board of Orthotist/Prosthetist
Certification; Community Health Accreditation Program; Commission
on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities; Healthcare Quality
Association on Accreditation; National Association of Boards of
Pharmacy; The Compliance Team; The Joint Commission; and The
National Board of Accreditation for Orthotic Suppliers. For contact
information, visit
target="_blank">www.dmecompetitivebid.com.

Mary Ellen Conway, RN, BSN, is president of Capital Healthcare
Group, LLC, Bethesda, Md., which provides health care management
expertise in accreditation preparation and survey follow-up,
operations assistance, design of quality improvement programs and
outcome measures. She can be contacted by phone at 301/896-0193 or
through www.capitalhealthcaregroup.com.