ACHC Blog

On January, 9, 2017, CMS finalized the first major revision to the Medicare Home Health Conditions of Participation (CoPs) in more than 20 years. The implementation date for these new CoPs is January 13, 2018 and the phase-in date for Performance Improvement Projects is July 13, 2018, with all other QAPI requirements effective January 13, 2018.

On September 8, 2016, the Federal Register posted the final rule Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers. Healthcare providers and suppliers affected by this rule must comply with and implement all regulations by November 15, 2017.

PCAB-accredited Pharmacy Specialties & Clinic of Sioux Falls, SD, achieved an additional recognition in September when it became the first to receive ACHC’s new Distinction in Hazardous Drug Handling (HDH).

Yesterday, November 1, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the CY2018 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS). In the final rule, CMS announces that it will not launch the Home Health Groupings Model (HHGM) in 2019.

Today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the draft version of the Home Health Agency Conditions of Participation (HHA CoP) Interpretive Guidelines to industry stakeholders. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) has made the guidelines available to its members for comment. CMS is unable to accept individual comments, but NAHC will be compiling feedback from its members and will present this feedback to CMS.

The Remington Report interviewed Teresa Gregory, Corporate Director of Medical Services of America on behalf of Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). Medical Services of America is a comprehensive home healthcare provider that offers home healthcare provider that offers home healthcare, hospice care, home medical equipment and supplies, diabetic supplies, respiratory services, mail order supplies, home infusion therapy, enteral nutrition therapy, senior/assisted living, full service pharmacy, physician practice management, and billing and printing services.

“Many companies regret not doing more comparison shopping when choosing their accreditor. Sometimes the cheapest selection ends up costing more in terms of service, additional fees, or resource burdens for the provider,” says Tim Safley, ACHC’s Director of DMEPOS, Pharmacy, and Sleep.

The essential function of the interdisciplinary team, IDT, is to work together as a cohesive unit to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial needs of the patient and family. The expectation is all members work as equal partners in addressing the patient’s and family’s identified needs associated with the terminal illness and related conditions.

The thoughts and concerns of everyone at ACHC are with those in Texas dealing with the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.  As selfless healthcare workers continue to provide medical aid to patients - often at great risk to themselves - we are hopeful for the safety of providers and their patients.

Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is thrilled to have been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Triangle by the Triangle Business Journal.