To see the regular AccreditationChamp FAQ, click here:

http://www.accreditationchamp.com/faqs/Default.aspx 

To see our extended FAQ, see below: 

ACCREDITATIONCHAMP EXTENDED FAQ 

Q- What is an Accreditation Organization?   
A- CMS knew they could not manage this facility accreditation process themselves. CMS licensed 10 companies to be Accreditation Organizations (AOs).  These 10 companies do all of the work, and CMS just manages the job they do according to a central set of standards that CMS created.   

So technically, when you get accredited, you are accredited by one of these 10 AO companies.  The AOs are the ones who can answer your technical questions, they are the ones who you pay your money to, they are the ones who write the specific rules (write their interpretations of CMS's rules), they are the ones who hired the inspectors, trained the inspectors, and ultimately send out the inspectors.  The AOs are the ones who grant your certificate. 

The AOs that are the most applicable to Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics are ABC (www.abcop.org) and BOC (www.bocusa.org). 

Q- What is AccreditationChamp.com?
A- AccreditationChamp.com is a facility accreditation consultant which provides you a complete, turnkey system in order to pass facility accreditation.  It is completely and specifically cross-referenced to the specific rules promulgated by two of the Accreditation Organizations, ABC and BOC, but it could be used for any AO.  AccreditationChamp a) provides you with all the policies, procedures, surveys, checklists, disclosures, handouts, and documentation you need, b) walks you through how to implement the system with detailed checklists to make sure that nothing gets missed, and c) prepares you for your inspection.  AccreditationChamp also provides additional phone support and consulting, and money-saving group buying partnerships. 

To see what is included in the AccreditationChamp system, click here: http://www.accreditationchamp.com/options/option3.aspx 

How much does AccreditationChamp cost?  $399.  Additional locations are $49 apiece, and the hard copy option is $125 per location (we encourage users to do their own printing).  PFA members can save $100 with a special coupon code that will be sent to them from PFA by e-mail.  To see more click: http://www.accreditationchamp.com/options/Default.aspx 

Q- Why did PFA (the Pedorthic Footwear Association) choose AccreditationChamp? 
A- PFA knows that many of its members were caught off guard by the late reversal of position by CMS.  PFA wants to help its members by providing a complete, turnkey system that will allow PFA members to meet the application deadline and successfully pass facility accreditation.  PFA chose to partner with AccreditationChamp.com in order to provide this online, complete, money and time saving option for PFA members.  PFA also negotiated a money-saving discount on the AccreditationChamp.com system.  

Q- What order should I do things?  Where do I begin?
A- First, buy your manual from us, fill out your online questionnaire (takes about 30 minutes) and then download and read the implementation checklist.  Fully reading the implementation checklist can be done in 1-3 hours.  This will give you an idea of issues that may exist in your business that you need to change to bring you into compliance with the rules.  Start the implementation process.  Then, choose your AO (i.e. ABC or BOC—see next question for more detail as to which to choose). Then, send in your application to the AO you chose. 

Technically, you need to be prepared for inspection when you send in your application (depending on your current practices, this could take one day to a few days or more).  However, both ABC and BOC will have a lead time or lag time between when you send in your application and when the inspector arrives.  You should start implementing as soon as you buy your manual, but you most likely will have some additional time after you send in your application.  Check with your AO for their current expected wait time. 
 

Q- How long will it take before I am ready to send in my application? 
A-  Again, it will vary based on how much you are in compliance today, but our estimates are as follows:

• Buy system online/setup user (5-10 minutes).
• Fill out online questionnaire (30-40 minutes).
• Generate documents and download (5 minutes).
• Read through implementation checklist (1-3 hours).
• Start to implement new steps, as indicated in the implementation checklist (one day to a few days).

Q- Which AO should I choose?
A-  We recommend that you make your decisions based on weighing three factors: 1) answers given by the AO to your personal situation, 2) your own personal professional certification company, and 3) the fees that the AO will charge you based on your size and DMEPOS supplied.   

If your business has a special situation that you think might run afoul of "the rules" we encourage you to call ABC and BOC ahead of time, run the situation by them, and ensure that the answer given works for you.  Though the AOs are all working from the same set of CMS guidelines, their interpretations may differ and that could have an impact on your passing rate.   

In addition, your personal certification is probably from either ABC or BOC.  It is common, but not required, to use the same AO company that manages your personal certification. 

Finally, for the latest fees, please see the websites of the respective AOs.  Please note that the different AOs handle a) number of facilities, and b) number of services offered differently--and you need to consider both when calculating your fees.  ABC and BOC are more reasonably priced than the other 8 AOs.  They also have the best understanding of OP&P and related fields. 

Q- What about changes and upgrades?
A- Your initial purchase includes one year of free changes and upgrades. To make changes in your information, log back into the site and change the data you want. All you have to do is download an up-to-date version and print. It’s that easy. Meanwhile,  AccreditationChamp will be working behind the scenes to keep the Policies and Procedures Manual up-to-date with changes in the law.

We will also be adding enhancements and other upgrades. When we’ve made changes on our end, we will notify you by e-mail and you have the option to login and download a completely updated version. To keep your service active in later years and to continue to save money through our partnership program,  AccreditationChamp will charge you a continuing annual membership fee. You may cancel at any anniversary date.

Q- Do I have to get a perfect score to pass?
A-  No.  There are basically two types of rules: Major and Minor.  Failing one Major Rule can force you to fail accreditation.  Generally, you can fail or partially fail a few Minor Rules and yet still pass facility accreditation.  An example of a Major Rule would be that your company needs to be a legally constituted entity.  The AOs are not inclined to share which rules are which—so it is best to pursue the highest compliance possible. 

Q- What happens if I fail facility accreditation?
A- This will depend on the AO.  You should read their websites for specifics.  Generally, for minor issues, most AOs will allow you submit a corrective action plan.  This may or may not require a re-inspection and the re-inspection fee.  For major issues, you will more than likely have to pay a re-inspection fee and get re-inspected.   
 

Q- Who do I call if I want a definitive answer about my personal situation (i.e. am I required to get accredited, am I required to be certified, does my particular situation run afoul of the rules, etc.)?
A- You should call the AOs directly and ask these tough technical questions.  Their answers will be binding on their inspectors.  They might also tell you whether “failing” the point in question is enough to “fail” facility accreditation.  Even though all AOs are working from the same Medicare guidelines, they do have leeway in interpretation.  You may find that one AO gives you a different answer than others.  We encourage you to find the fit that is best for your situation.  For ABC click on www.abcop.org and for BOC click on www.bocusa.org.   

Q- Do I:   a) need to have at least one person CPR certified, b) need to have at least one Certified practitioner, c) need a fitting stock for non-custom items, d) need a physical location (rather than simply a mobile delivery vehicle), etc.?
A- The answer is technically “yes” to all of the above situations.  If one or more of these is incompatible with your business, you should call your AO and discuss it to see if your situation is enough to “fail” the issue and if that failure is enough to “fail” facility accreditation.  You need to decide whether to a) change and get into compliance, or b) not change and fail that standard.  The AccreditationChamp policy and procedure manual assumes you are in substantial compliance with all technical requirements. 

Q- I have retail facility, do I need to have private or semi-private options for casting/fitting? Does this mean I need to remodel my location or move in order make private fitting rooms in the back??
A- The answer will depend on the AO and on the type of DMEPOS you dispense.  For items that require patients to disrobe, etc., there would need to be private fitting areas.  For items that are less sensitive in nature (i.e. diabetic shoes), then most likely a semi-private option will suffice.  It would be acceptable to offer diabetic shoes in a non-private setting (i.e. front of a shoe store), but you would have to have a semi-private option for patients that want it.  Continuing with this example—most shoe stores will provide a chair in an out of the way location in the back room for patients who need/want/require this option.  BEFORE YOU DO ANY SORT OF REMODELING OR BEFORE YOU MOVE JUST FOR THIS REQUIREMENT, PLEASE CALL THE AOs.  In general, you can make simple adjustments to meet the rules for semi private areas.  The AOs will listen to your situation and give you specific guidance.   

Q- I have at least one certified practitioner, but I have non-certified practitioners, too? Am I okay? What if my one certified practitioner covers multiple locations?
A- The AOs recognize that non-certified practitioners work alongside certified practitioners.  However, in order to maintain patient care quality—the work done by the non-certified practitioners must be 1) authorized by senior management, 2) be within the non-certified practitioner’s scope of competence/training and 3) be reviewed at some level by the certified practitioners.  Work that is beyond the scope of competence/training of the non-certified practitioner must be referred to the certified practitioner.  Work that is beyond the scope of competence/training of the certified practitioner must be referred out to another local certified practitioner and the doctor must be notified in a timely manner.  The supplier must show the AO that there are sufficient controls in place to ensure that patients get the right care.  The AccreditationChamp policy manuals assume that the practice either does or will have a mix of certified and non-certified practitioners and it gives all of the tools and policies necessary to meet the letter and spirit of the rules. 
 

Q- Do my fitters have to be W-2 employees, or can they be 1099 employees?
A- As far as Facility Accreditation is concerned for ABC and BOC, as long as you have one W-2 fitter (or the owner is a fitter—regardless of whether the owner actually get a W-2), you are probably ok, even if you have some other fitters that are 1099.  However, this rule is expected to change soon, and you should be aware that CMS has proposed requiring every fitter to be W-2.  However, regardless of Facility Accreditation and CMS, the IRS has very strict views about the treatment of employees as W-2 versus 1099.  You should check with your personal tax accountant to make sure that your 1099 treatment is acceptable under IRS rules.  If you want to know more, check out IRS Publication 15-A at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15a.pdf and review Section 2. 

Q- I don’t take assignment, do I still need Facility Accreditation? 
A- Yes, you do.  If you have a supplier number, you need it.

Q- I am a new supplier trying to get my number from Medicare, what should I do?
A- At this point, CMS will not issue you a supplier number until you can show you have passed Facility Accreditation.  The AO will want to see your 855S application (supplier number application) completely filled out, but they understand that you cannot file it until you pass facility accreditation.  You should go ahead and apply for your NPI number, though.  You can do that by going to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/nationalprovidentstand/03_apply.asp .

 Q- If I have just recently received a survey by an AO.  Will I be subject to a site visit by a representative of the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) after I apply for my DMEPOS supplier number? 
A- Yes. These actions are independent of one another. The accreditor checks quality standards. The NSC site visit concerns enforcing supplier standards. In many cases a new supplier will receive a site survey by the AO and a site visit by the NSC.  However, all of the questions that the NSC auditor will ask will have been sufficiently covered during your Facility Accreditation process. 
 

Q- How can I contact AccreditationChamp and other useful contacts?

Use the e-mail contact form at:

Also, call toll-free 800-425-0196 or e-mail questions@accreditationchamp.com 

ABC’s information about FA (contacts, standards, applications, rules, etc.)
http://www.abcop.org/Facility_Accreditation.asp