CMS Posts Final Quality Standards

BALTIMORE–Following a 4 1/2-hour conference Oct. 14 to advise
providers on meeting its quality standards for mandatory
accreditation, CMS posted the revised standards on its Web site
last Tuesday.

The final standards are similar to the draft standards proposed
in February, according to the agency’s Sandra Bastinelli, who
conducted the explanatory conference. However, the changes do
include:

–A requirement that the RTS (Rehab Technology Supplier) be a
W-2 employee. The final standards also recognize RESNA’s new
ATP (Assistive Technology Professional) credential that is
effective Jan. 1.

–A new section on therapeutic shoes and inserts.

CMS has set Sept. 30, 2009, as the deadline by which all DMEPOS
suppliers must be accredited in order to continue Medicare billing
privileges. During the conference, Bastinelli also urged providers
to get their accreditation applications in by Jan. 31, 2009, in
order to make sure they have time to meet the September deadline.
CMS has said it cannot guarantee accreditation for providers who do
not apply to one of its approved accrediting bodies by Jan. 31.

View a PDF of the
final quality standards document (with changes highlighted in
yellow).