How to Prepare for Accreditation
Make no mistake, NOW is the time to get accredited. As you probably know, providers must be accredited by Sept. 30, 2009,to bill CMS. That date might seem distant, but given the length of the process, which can last up to several months in some cases, providers wishing to continue billing Medicare should get started right away.
With that said, providers that get accredited gain improved operational efficiencies that will help them save money, and find and leverage new opportunities to serve patients.
Select an accrediting body. There are 11 accrediting bodies serving different needs. Some are better suited to help particular providers, based on their specialties. Review the accrediting bodies to determine which best address your business needs. Then obtain the standards for that organization and review them to see how they need to be adapted to your business.
Nominate an accreditation team. Getting accredited requires dedicated time. Nominate an internal champion or create a project team that can create and implement an action plan.
Consider third-party help or reference materials. Accreditation also requires a fair amount of specialized knowledge that you might not retain on-staff. Bringing a consultant on-board can supply expertise. Before hiring a consultant, get referrals from other providers with similar businesses.
Also, you might want to look into purchasing a policies and procedures manual that can be tailored to your business. The manual itself is can cost as much as $2,000 — but it can help outline the requirements to which a provider must adhere.
Also, your accrediting body might provide comprehensive preparation assistance, thus removing the need to hire a consultant. Consider that service when reviewing accrediting bodies and the total cost of the process.
Know the cost. Accreditation can cost several thousand dollars. A good estimate is $3,000 to $5,000, according to experts, but it depends on the accreditation fees and the cost of additional help or resources.
Know the time involved. Accreditation time varies based on the provider’s scope and scale of business, as well as the complexity of the policies and procedures it must integrate. Be realistic, as the process could last four to six months. Also, investigate whether your accrediting body offers any “accelerated tracks” to help you more quickly achieve compliance.
Educate your staff. Ensure your staff buys-in to the accreditation andwill help implement each policy and procedure. All involved staff must be trained in the new procedures and processes, and understand what they are doing and why. Moreover, document that all staff have been trained.
Understand site surveys. Once a provider tells the accrediting body it is ready for a site survey, a surveyor will come unannounced to ensure the business is compliant. The review will be thorough, but not necessarily grueling. While a “surprise” survey might seem daunting, if a provider has properly prepared for accreditation, the site survey might actually come as a welcome confirmation of all your hard work.
An ongoing process. Remember that accreditation is not a one-time exercise — it is a process that continues for the life of the provider’s accreditation. Accrediting bodies will require follow-ups in varying frequencies, depending on the provider and the accrediting body. View your relationship with the accrediting body as a partnership in helping to increase efficiency and deliver quality service to
your patients.
Accrediting Bodies:Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc.
www.achc.orgAmerican Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics Inc.
www.abcop.orgBoard of Certification in Pedorthics
www.abcop.orgBoard for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification
www.bocusa.orgCommission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
www.carf.orgCommunity Health Accreditation Program
www.chapinc.orgThe Compliance Team Inc.
www.expemplaryprovider.comHealthcare Quality Association on Accreditation
www.hqaa.orgJoint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
www.jcaho.orgNational Association of Boards of Pharmacy
www.nabp.netNational Board of Accreditation for Orthotic Suppliers
www.nbaos.org
Points to take away:• Select an accrediting body.
• Nominate a team or person to handle the process.
• Consider third-party consulting or manuals.
• Know the cost and time involved.
• Get the staff on-board and trained in new procedures.
• Be ready for your site survey and know that accreditation is an ongoing process.
This article originally appeared in the July 2008 issue of HME Business.