Supplier Accreditation Is Hot Topic at Medtrade Spring

LAS VEGAS–HME providers and others with ties to home health
care gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center last week to take
in educational sessions and peruse new technologies at Medtrade
Spring. The trade show took place as the industry prepares for big
changes, with competitive bidding and mandatory accreditation for
Medicare suppliers on the horizon.

Like many providers, Vince Kasiar, president of Beck’s Home
Health Care Products, Eldorado, Ill., came to learn about
accreditation and, ultimately, sign up to get the process rolling.
“We’re hoping to finalize the paperwork today,” he said.

Kasiar’s comment mirrored those of many show-goers who intend to
ramp up efforts toward accreditation. Show organizer VNU
Expositions offered several sessions on the subject.

Currently, the majority of the nation’s HME providers remain
unaccredited, according to most estimates. That’s a situation some
fear could create major challenges for CMS, which is charged with
the implementation of DME competitive bidding in 2007; suppliers
must meet government quality standards to participate in the bid.
And at some point–although the exact date has not been set–all
providers must be accredited to participate in the Medicare program
as mandated by the Medicare Modernization Act.

But time, observers say, is running out. John Gallagher, vice
president of government relations for Waterloo, Iowa-based VGM,
said that only 40 percent of the buying group’s members are
currently accredited. “The concern now,” Gallagher commented during
a Tuesday-afternoon session, “is [whether] the accrediting bodies
can take care of the remaining 60 percent.”

While its contractor, North Carolina-based Research Triangle
Institute, has unveiled a preliminary draft that sets out eight
“quality standards domains” for suppliers, CMS is not expected to
finalize the standards until this summer–nor has the agency
designated any accrediting body to enforce them. Lacking that
information, some show attendees expressed concern on how to move
forward. “I don’t understand how I’m supposed to be accredited when
CMS hasn’t told me who can accredit me and what the standards are,”
said Jerry Jeanes, owner of Denton, Texas-based Choice Medical
Equipment.

Jeanes made the comment at a session called “Dueling
Accreditation Services,” which included representatives from ACHC
(Accreditation Commission for Health Care), CHAP (Community Health
Accreditation Program) and JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations). Of the 200-plus providers who packed
the room, only about 10 percent raised their hands when asked if
they were accredited.

As of March 1, the count from the National Supplier
Clearinghouse puts active DMEPOS supplier numbers at 113,801.
According to consultant Bob Weir of Weir & Associates, Warner
Springs, Calif., ACHC, CHAP and JACHO estimate that together, the
organizations have accredited 6,000 Part B suppliers. Those
organizations have approximately 200 surveyors among them, Weir
said, and each performs an average of two projects each month. “Do
the math,” Weir said. “To get the remaining suppliers accredited,
it would take [more than 20 years].”

During the show, CMS contractor RTI, which is advising the
agency on implementation of the bidding program, held a series of
small provider focus groups to hear their concerns about quality
standards, accreditation and the competitive bidding and selection
process. The research firm is planning similar focus groups in
Chicago and Dallas, although dates have not been announced.

To view the latest on competitive bidding, including RTI’s
presentations on quality standards and bidding process options,
visit CMS’ competitive acquisition Web site, available by clicking
here.