ACHC DMEPOS Accreditation — Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACHC DMEPOS Accreditation?
ACHC DMEPOS Accreditation is a CMS-approved accreditation program for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) who bill Medicare. It is a Medicare enrollment prerequisite — suppliers without accreditation from a CMS-approved accreditor cannot obtain or maintain a Medicare Supplier Number.
Is DMEPOS accreditation required?
Yes — for any supplier billing Medicare for DMEPOS items, accreditation is mandatory. CMS established this requirement under the MMA of 2003. The NSC enforces it during enrollment and re-enrollment. Suppliers whose accreditation lapses lose Medicare billing privileges.
What are the CMS DMEPOS Quality Standards?
CMS Quality Standards cover seven domains: General Business Standards (licensure, surety bond, location, personnel), Complaint Resolution, Product-Specific Standards, Delivery and Setup, Financial Management, Information Management (CMNs, written orders, medical records), and Performance Improvement (QAPI).
What is a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN)?
A CMN documents medical necessity for certain DMEPOS items. CMN requirements vary by product category. ACHC surveys evaluate whether CMNs are properly completed, signed, contain all required elements, and are maintained in supplier records. CMN deficiencies frequently correlate with Medicare audit exposure.
What is a surety bond and is it required?
A surety bond is a financial guarantee required by CMS for all DMEPOS suppliers as a condition of Medicare enrollment. The bond must remain current. A lapsed surety bond is an immediate Medicare enrollment disqualifier and is surprisingly common. ACHC surveys verify current surety bond documentation.
What are the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program requirements?
Suppliers must be accredited to participate in the CMS Competitive Bidding Program. Unaccredited suppliers are excluded entirely, limiting access to high-volume Medicare categories in CBP areas.
What product categories have additional requirements?
Product-specific standards add requirements for: oxygen and respiratory equipment, power wheelchairs and complex rehab technology (ATP/CRTS credentials required), custom orthotics and prosthetics, CPAP and RAD equipment, and enteral/parenteral nutrition.
What are the physical location requirements?
DMEPOS suppliers must maintain a physical location accessible to the public during required business hours, displaying the supplier's name and address, staffed by knowledgeable personnel. P.O. boxes and purely virtual addresses are not acceptable. Each location must meet requirements independently.
How long does ACHC DMEPOS Accreditation take?
Most suppliers can achieve initial accreditation in 4-8 months. The timeline is driven by how quickly documentation systems can be corrected and the complexity of the supplier's product mix.
How much does ACHC DMEPOS Accreditation cost?
ACHC fees are not publicly published — contact ACHC directly. IHS consulting fees are scoped per engagement — contact IHS for a tailored proposal.
What are the most common ACHC DMEPOS survey deficiencies?
Common deficiencies: delivery documentation gaps, CMN and written order deficiencies, missing equipment maintenance records, qualified personnel gaps for complex equipment, physical location requirement failures, absent complaint management systems, nominal QAPI programs, and lapsed surety bonds.
How does IHS help DMEPOS suppliers?
IHS provides product category analysis, gap analysis, policy and documentation development, personnel review, mock survey, and RFI response. IHS is led by Thomas G. Goddard, JD, PhD, former Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of URAC, with expertise across the full Medicare DMEPOS regulatory landscape.
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