On September 3rd, CMS announced that professionals, including physicians, PTs, OTs, qualified speech therapists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, orthotists, prosthetists, podiatrists, optometrists and opticians are exempt from the September 30, 2009, mandatory accreditation deadline.
CMS also announced that this action is only a delay in accreditation requirements and quality standards, and that revised standards for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) will be issued in 2009.
ABC continues to be a leading organization assisting CMS with the creation of standards for appropriate, safe and ethical orthotic and prosthetic patient care. The current ABC facility accreditation standards are expected to carry accredited facilities through the transition to the 2009 revised standards. “Facilities that are already ABC accredited are ahead of the game,” states Michael J. Allen, CPO, FAAOP, ABC President. “Facilities that are accredited need to remain in good standing, and those who have recently begun the process should maintain their progress in achieving ABC accreditation. This will prevent a last minute rush to obtain accreditation in 2009 once CMS issues what will hopefully be increasingly appropriate standards.”
For those patient care organizations that are not exempt from the accreditation requirements and quality standards, CMS has announced an application deadline of January 31, 2009. This deadline is designed to help ensure the orderly processing of accreditation applications. ABC, along with other Deemed Authorities, has committed to processing those applications received by the January deadline for accreditation by the September 30, 2009 mandatory accreditation deadline.
“ABC accreditation provides the highest professional standards and reflects the quality of the ABC credentialed individual’s care of their patients. We remain committed to providing quality accreditation and certification services to the orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic professions” states Allen.
For additional information please visit the ABC website at www.abcop.org or call 703-836-7114.