ACHC Surveyor Oct. 2013 | Page 10

THE SURVEYOR I FALL 2013 UNDERSTANDING DEEMED STATUS By Lisa Meadows, ACHC Clinical Educator for Home Health, Hospice and Private Duty Providers wanting to bill Medicare for the services they offer must first obtain a Medicare provider number. To do so, an initial Medicare certification survey must be conducted by either the state authority or through an Accreditation Organization that has deeming authority granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). For state authorities, these initial Medicare certification surveys are designated as Tier IV – the lowest priority for survey scheduling and completion. Often, providers choosing this option wait several years before receiving an on-site survey. Until the survey is successfully completed, an organization is unable to bill Medicare for the services provided. The solution to expediting this process is to seek accreditation with a national Accreditation Organization such as ACHC. ACHC has deeming authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS and is able to conduct initial Medicare surveys within 120 days of receiving your application. YOUR ACHC EXPERTS! OUR CONSULTANTS ARE CURRENT AND FORMER ACHC SURVEYORS WHO KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE! We are able to help you with your start-up or your ongoing needs: Mock Surveys, Policy Manuals, Quality Improvement OASIS Review/Coding Services by Coding-certified RNs Educational Webinars and much more During a deemed status survey, ACHC will perform a survey to determine compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs). Home Health and Hospice agencies that choose a deemed status survey will remain under the jurisdiction of ACHC for oversight of ongoing compliance. For Providers Seeking a Medicare Provider Number: To ensure you are scheduled for a deemed status survey, your application should indicate that you are seeking an initial Medicare survey AND that you are requesting a deemed status survey. For Providers with a Medicare Provider Number: If you wish to seek Medicare recertification through ACHC, your application should indicate that you are requesting a deemed status survey. CONTACT THE CONSULTANTS WHO KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO BE COMPLIANT AND SUCCESSFUL! (866) 428-4040 I www.5starconsultants.net [email protected] 10 I 855-YES-ACHC (855-937-2242) I achc.org For more info on deemed and non-deemed surveys, please contact your ACHC Accreditation Advisor or e-mail us at [email protected].