Deadlines, Schmedlines!

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 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.