DMEPOS Accreditation
Accreditation by an independent CMS-approved organization, generally required for DMEPOS suppliers to enroll in and bill Medicare unless an exemption applies.
CMS generally requires DMEPOS suppliers to be accredited by an independent CMS-approved accrediting organization as a condition of Medicare enrollment and billing. Certain products, professionals, and pharmacies may qualify for an exemption. Because approved organizations and their status can change, suppliers should use the current list maintained by CMS when comparing accreditors.
Accreditation includes an unannounced on-site survey of the supplier's operations, policies, and documentation against the accreditor's standards. Standards typically cover quality management, patient rights, infection control, complaint handling, delivery processes, and equipment management, including cleaning and maintenance records.
Failing an accreditation survey can result in corrective action or loss of accreditation, which can affect Medicare billing privileges. For most DME businesses, maintaining accreditation is essential to continued operation.
Accreditors may review equipment safety, infection-control practices, delivery documentation, and maintenance procedures. Tracking software can help document custody and readiness changes, but detailed cleaning, delivery, and maintenance records still need their own process.
DMEPOS Accreditation questions
Who approves DMEPOS accreditation organizations?
CMS designates and approves independent accreditation organizations that apply the DMEPOS Quality Standards to suppliers. Those organizations must meet CMS requirements to gain and maintain approval.
Where can I verify a DMEPOS accrediting organization?
Use CMS's current DMEPOS accreditation organization list to verify approved organizations, their contact information, and the supplier categories they are approved to accredit. Approval status can change, so contact the organization directly and rely on CMS for the current list.
How TrackDME addresses this
Recorded unit history in TrackDME