Amedisys is First to Earn Accreditation for Integrated Health Care Standards for Behavioral Health Disorders

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ACHC Updated Standards Now Available

ACHC values the partnership that we have with you in ensuring quality care and services are provided. ACHC standards have always been industry and service specific, but will now be customized to your organization. ACHC is pleased to announce the release of our updated ACHC Accreditation Standards. Significance of Changes • Customer satisfaction: standards will be tailored to the services that the organization provides • Simplification of standards • Reduction in duplicate standards • Uniformity of standards across all programs and services Overview of Changes to Standards • All Programs - New numbering - Rewording of some standards to promote clarity and conciseness - Elimination of scopes - All Standards reside in seven sections - Organizations will download only those standards for the programs/services that they provide Overview of Changes to Specific Programs • Home Health - A few new standards were added that clarify the CoPs - Language reflects regulatory terminology • Hospice - A few new standards were added that clarify the CoPs - Specifics added to Life Safety Code standards - Preamble for Hospice Services was created which describes: eligibility, election and duration of benefits • DME/Pharmacy - Standards include the updated Medicare DMEPOS Supplier standards (that were effective 9/9/2010) Rapid Implementation • It is necessary to receive multiple layers of approval when standards are updated, these approvals were delayed, thus pushing back our release date • Release date: April 18, 2011 • Effective Date: May 18, 2011 Important Distinction • Standards that are restated or added all reflect current regulatory requirements; therefore, all organizations should already be in compliance • Providers do not need additional time to prepare because the intent of the standards still reflects the intent of Medicare regulations. Standards have been added or restated for clarity and inclusiveness Education • In May, there will be a video presentation for you to watch that will describe the changes • Please watch Customer Central for detailsUtilize the following link to obtain the new ACHC Standards for Accreditation: http://customercentral.achc.org/login.asp Please contact your Account Manager at (919) 785-1214 if you have any questions or need assistance with your login information

Read the Spring 2011 Surveyor Newsletter

Read ACHC’s newest Surveyor newsletter

Inside, you’ll find:

• The California Board of Pharmacy Approves ACHC
• ACHC Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence
• ACHC Wins Ovation Award for HR Excellence
• Spotlight on Provider: Axium Healthcare Pharmacy, Inc.
• Creative Planning for Proposed Reimbursement Cuts, Merrily Orsini, MSW, Managing Director of corecubed

TrailBlazer Health Enterprises Approves ACHC’s Sleep Accreditation Program

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC ) is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2011, TrailBlazer Health Enterprises, LLC will be including ACHC accreditation of freestanding sleep testing facilities. Sleep testing facilities will have the option to choose ACHC accreditation to satisfy the requirements of LCD 4F-76AB (L28640).  The LCD requires sleep testing facilities to obtain accreditation by an approved accreditation organization. Follow this link to read about the updated LCD (revision No. 8) on the Trailblazer website for complete details http://www.trailblazerhealth.com/Tools/LCDs.aspx?DomainID=1&id=3314

If you would like to find out more information about ACHC’s sleep accreditation program or TrailBlazer’s approval for ACHC accreditation of freestanding sleep testing facilities please call 919-785-1214. You may also visit www.achc.org or send an email to tsafley@achc.org.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. This year they celebrate their 25^th anniversary of accrediting home and community based health care organizations. They are ISO 9001:2008 certified and have CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS. ACHC offers personal Account Managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.

For more information, or to download free accreditation standards, please visit ACHC.org, email customerservice@achc.org or call 919-785-1214.

 

Share Your Story

 

As we celebrate our 25^th Anniversary, we want to take a moment to thank our accredited providers that have helped us reach this milestone and give you the opportunity to share in the celebration.

We want to know how ACHC has helped you and your business, as well as any special milestones you have achieved over the past 25 years. Your story could be selected for inclusion into our history book.

Visit our Facebook page, ‘like’ us and enter your story on the discussions tab. Be sure to include your company name to be entered in a drawing for an iPad. One grand-prize winner will also receive two tickets to our black-tie The Next Chapter Gala in October.

Again, we thank our customers for helping us along the way and we look forward to another 25 years of innovation, quality and excellence together.

Click Here to Enter Your Story

Not on Facebook? Email us your story.

Contest Rules: Testimonials must be appropriate for public viewing. All information submitted may be used for marketing purposes. Grand prize winner will be drawn on June 30, 2011.

ACHC Wins Ovation Award for HR Excellence

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) is pleased to announce they have won the 2011 Ovation Award for HR Excellence presented by Capital Associated Industries (CAI) in the Small Employer Category for Employee Engagement initiatives. CAI is a premier HR resource and currently works with over 1,000 companies in North Carolina. ACHC joins an elite group of past winners including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Burt’s Bees and Krispy Kreme.

CAI’s review board commented, “Your efforts and results really embody the Ovation Award program in that we really want companies who can show results with their positive HR practices. You will be a wonderful addition to this year’s conference highlighting local and national HR best practices.”

ACHC will be honored on February 24, 2011 at CAI’s HR Management Conference held at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. This year, they celebrate their 25^th anniversary of accrediting home and community based health care organizations. They are ISO 9001:2008 certified and have CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS. ACHC offers personal Account Managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.

For more information, or to download free accreditation standards, please visit ACHC.org, email customerservice@achc.org or call 919-785-1214.

ACHC Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. is excited to announce its 25^th Anniversary of accrediting home and community based health care organizations. Since 1986, ACHC accreditation has reflected an organization’s commitment to quality and excellent patient care. “We are thankful to all of our accredited providers who have shared our vision for quality health care. This is a year of celebration for us as well as the providers. We will not only be remembering our past achievements, but also looking forward to the next chapter of innovation, quality and excellence,” said Tom Cesar, President of ACHC.

ACHC will commemorate this significant milestone with a 25^th Anniversary logo, a special edition of the Surveyor Newsletter and other items throughout the year. They are also creating a history book that will chronicle ACHC’s significant achievements. The 25^th Anniversary celebration will wrap up with a Black-Tie Gala in October, with all proceeds benefiting the American Diabetes Association. Sponsorship opportunities will be available.

Read the full press release here

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona to Require Accreditation

As of October 1, 2010, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) will require that all contracted sleep lab providers are accredited, or are in the process of accreditation, for each one of their contracted locations. The Accreditation Commission for Health Care’s Sleep Lab/Center Accreditation Program is approved by BCBSAZ to meet this requirement. If this requirement is not met by the end of 2010, BCBSAZ will initiate steps to terminate contracted sleep lab providers’ participation agreement. To help meet this urgent need, The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is offering free accreditation standards, a personal Account Manager to help with the process, a simple application for accreditation and a quick turnaround for on-site surveys. ACHC is ready and able to help all contracted sleep lab providers meet this requirement by or before the 2010 deadline.

Read the full press release here

ACHC Announces Updated Specialty Pharmacy Standards

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc., is pleased to
announce the release of updated standards for Specialty Pharmacy. The reorganization of ACHC standards meets or exceeds other specialty accreditation organization’s requirements, eliminating the need for multiple accreditations for pharmacy and managed care providers. ACHC was one of the first accreditors to offer disease management Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation.

Read the official press release here

CMS has updated the Supplier Standards

CMS has updated the Supplier Standards. Please follow this link for the official Press Release from CMS:

https://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp