Written directives published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Monday, December 8, 2009, have specifically omitted pedorthists from the list of professionals exempt from the upcoming mandatory accreditation requirement.
This binding directive, published through the CMS Home Health Hospice Open Door Forum, reverses earlier statements made by CMS officials that pedorthists are exempt from the upcoming accreditation deadline for DMEPOS suppliers. With this decision, pedorthic organizations are now required to apply for accreditation by January 31, 2009, and achieve accreditation by September 30, 2009, to remain fully compliant with CMS regulations.
“We understand that the way CMS has released this information has created a challenge for the pedorthic profession,” said Tom Derrick, ABC’s Director of Public Relations. “While ABC believes accreditation is in the best interests of the public, the unexpected change of position leaves very little time for pedorthic organizations to come into compliance with the accreditation standards and submit their applications.”
“ABC is prepared to work with each pedorthic organization to meet the new deadline. We’re here to help. Our staff and our accreditation surveyors are prepared for the applications and site visits that will be necessary to meet the CMS requirement,” Derrick adds. “This program was designed by certified pedorthists (C.Peds.) for pedorthic practices, and with a current pass rate of greater than 90 percent, it is proving to be an exceptional accreditation program.”
Free accreditation resources are available for download at www.abcop.org/pedorthicaccreditation. To begin the process of becoming ABC accredited, pedorthic organizations should review the Comprehensive Pedorthic Accreditation Standards and take the steps necessary to bring their business into compliance with these standards.
“We recognize that this policy change has created some hardship. We will be assisting C.Peds. in the coming months by hosting online seminars to go over the basic requirements for pedorthic accreditation, and we will continue to publish information online,” said Derrick.
“Business owners and practice managers who have not been preparing for accreditation need to begin this process now to allow time to be surveyed and accredited by the September 30, 2009 deadline. At that time, CMS may begin deactivating supplier numbers and rejecting claims from those organizations that are not accredited. You cannot take that chance – it is time to begin the accreditation process now.”
Certified Pedorthists will be receiving additional information from ABC regarding the accreditation requirement in the coming weeks, including details on how to sign up for web-based presentations. ABC’s accreditation standards, guide and application are available at www.abcop.org; for further information on the accreditation process and how to bring your organization into compliance with the standards, please visit the website or call (703) 836-7114 to speak with ABC’s accreditation experts.