WHAT IS DME ACCREDITATION & THE PROCESS OF BECOMING ACCREDITED?

Who is eligible for HME/DME accreditation?

While it may seem that only large, established companies can afford the cost of accreditation, WWS has helped many smaller companies have successfully navigate this process. 

It is true that larger companies will likely see more benefits from accreditation than smaller ones, but the requirements for becoming accredited are open to all organizations.

To make sure your organization is ready for DME accreditation, consider these factors:

•   Are you prepared to complete a full quality assessment?
•   Do you have a comprehensive knowledge of all applicable quality standards?

What are the prerequisites for accreditation?

Before you can even think about pursuing accreditation, make sure your practice meets the following qualifications:

Valid business registration documents.

• You must have a valid business license in your state or territory where you practice DME services.* 

• State regulatory and compliance documents 

• And specific lciencing process to the type of equipments your practice is preparing to handle. 

How do you apply for DME accreditation?

Applying for DME accreditation is a lengthy process that requires you to submit an application form, provide evidence of your compliance with the Medicare standards, provide evidence of your compliance with the standards of the accreditation body and pay a fee. 

 What happens after my DME accreditation application is submitted?

Once you have completed your DME accreditation application, it will be submitted to the CMS via their secure website. 

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a letter of acknowledgment stating that it has been received by the CMS.

If you are accepted as an accredited provider, then you will receive a letter of acceptance and the accreditation will begin on the date specified in your letter.

 If your application is denied because it did not meet all requirements outlined in this document or any other requirement established by CMS, then they will send you a letter stating such along with any additional information needed for resubmission.

What should I expect from an accreditation inspection?

An accreditation inspection is much like a military inspection, but instead of looking at the cleanliness of your barracks, they’re going to be looking at your facility and records, policies and procedures, staff members, equipment inventory and patient care.

 There are three main parts of an accreditation inspection:

• A review of all policies and procedures by a team of experts in various fields ( coordination of care), including a review of how these policies are implemented on a day-to-day basis.

• A walkthrough of the entire facility to check for safety hazards or any other problems that may present themselves during normal operation hours or after hours (when workers aren't there). If something comes up during this process that needs fixing before the next inspection takes place—say you find mold in one area—you'll have time to address it without worrying about getting penalized on their next visit because there's no way they'll notice anything amiss if it hasn't been fixed yet!
• A review by medical professionals who will make sure each patient receives adequate care; this includes making sure patients receive all necessary medications according to protocol set forth by their physicians' orders."

What happens after passing an inspection?

After passing the inspection, you will receive a letter from the accreditation body  stating that you have passed. You will also receive a letter from your state's survey agency saying that you have met all of the requirements for accreditation. At this point, you can advertise as an accredited provider and request the certificate of accreditation.

How do I maintain your HME/ DME accreditation once it's been granted?

In order to maintain your accreditation, you must follow the rules and regulations that were outlined in your initial accreditation application.

 The most important step is keeping all of your documentation up to date. As new technology becomes available, it's important for DME providers to stay current on any changes within their industry. If there are new rules or regulations regarding equipment maintenance and updates, make sure you're following them! In addition, keep up with training protocols for staff members—it's important that they're able to use new equipment safely as well as handle customer service issues appropriately when dealing with patients or family members who may not be familiar with how things work at their facility.

 Another way that facilities can maintain their "looking good" factor is by keeping the building clean! If there are stains on floors or walls in rooms where people receive services (such as dialysis), this likely won't reflect highly on a facility's ability to provide quality care in other areas either (ease of access).

 In addition to updating physical aspects of your business like these three things (documentation/training/cleanliness), it's also very important that providers maintain proper operational procedures such as having backups ready when needed so there aren't any interruptions if one system fails unexpectedly - especially during hectic times like flu season when demand increases significantly due increased risk factors associated with going out into public places more frequently due lack flu shot availability

How long does it take to become accredited?

The accreditation process can take anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on a number of factors. These include:

• The size of your facility. Smaller facilities are easier to inspect than larger ones

• How well you have prepared for the inspection. If you have all your paperwork in order, it will be much faster!
• The amount of time needed to conduct an on-site inspection at your facility

Can my Accreditation be suspended or revoked?

Yes, it is possible for your accreditation to be suspended or revoked. If you are found to be non-compliant with Medicare requirements, you will be given time to make the necessary changes. If you fail to make the necessary changes, your accreditation will be revoked.

There is a lot of paperwork associated with becoming and remaining accredited, but if you are willing to put the work in, there are many benefits.

In order to become accredited, there is a lot of paperwork involved. This part can be frustrating, but if you are willing to put in the work and learn about DME accreditation, there are many benefits for your company in the long term.

The main reason why it is worth getting DME accreditation is because you get paid more by Medicare for your products and services than if you were not accredited. Private insurance companies also often pay more for equipment that has been approved by Medicare as well.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the DME accreditation process and what it means for your business. Our team will help guide you through every step of this process so that you can focus on what really matters: providing quality care for your patients.

If you are interested in becoming accredited, we encourage you to speak with us.