CMS Releases Draft Quality Standards

Baltimore

CMS released its long-awaited draft of proposed quality standards, which will eventually have to be met by all Medicare HME suppliers, in late September.

The proposed standards outline business requirements in eight areas: administration, financial management, human resource management, beneficiary services, performance management, equipment and safety, beneficiary rights and ethics and information management. Product-specific standards outline service requirements for inspection, delivery/set-up, beneficiary education/training and follow-up for suppliers specializing in 14 different categories. Requirements in another 18 categories are to be developed by CMS and its contractor Abt Associates.

Some industry stakeholders say that in their current form, the standards are impractical.

“Some things are just impossible to do,” said Mike Hamilton, executive director of the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association (ADMEA) and Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Services (GAMES).

He cited a requirement that oxygen suppliers respond within 60 minutes of a telephone call. “Can you imagine a supplier in any place with traffic jams being able to respond?” he asked.

To view the standards, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/suppliers/dmepos/compbid/default.asp.

CMS will accept public comment on the proposed standards until Nov. 28. E-mail [email protected].