Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/45026
HME NEWS / NOVEMBER 2011 / WWW.HMENEWS.COM HQAA puts billers to the test BY LIZ BEAULIEU, Editor WATERLOO, Iowa – HQAA planned a "soft launch" for a new accredita- tion program specifically for third- party billing companies at Medtrade in October. HQAA, one of 10 agencies approved by Medicare to accredit VGM & MED CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 by phone; and MED's involves pro- viders ramping up their sales, clini- cal and operational skills. "The timing is perfect for provid- ers to reinvent themselves," said Alan Morris, director of alternate care programs for VGM. REINVENT: DO WELL WHAT HOSPITALS DO POORLY In VGM's program, providers com- plement the products and services they provide with health coaching. They visit patients in the hospital before discharge and in their homes after discharge, and then they use automated phone calls to continue to monitor patients for 60 days. "It's a means of putting the hospi- tal in a position to monitor patients that they feel they're likely to see back," Morris said. VGM has partnered with Health- Call, a medical communications company, to educate providers and to supply them with an automated patient response solution. In marketing the program to hos- pitals, Morris admits providers have "a hard sell." "Hospitals are really good at what they do within their four walls, but they haven't been as good at fol- low-up," he said. "That's what this is about." EVOLVE: BE DIFFERENT MED's program, called "Maximiz- ing Your Oxygen Business," com- prises five webinars: "New Eco- nomics of O2," "Matching the Patient to the Device," and three versions of "Educating Your Team" for sales/clinical, intake/billing and delivery/service tech. "The idea of the program is to develop content, tools and direction for every depart- ment," said Kelly Riley, director of MED's Nation- al Respiratory Network. The program builds on last year's "Maximiz- Kelly Riley ing Your Sleep Business." MED believes the tools providers will adopt as part of the program, particularly those related to data collection, will make hospitals see them in a new light. "It really is a transition program that helps evolve oxygen providers into something a little bit different," Riley said. HME Step Up to Joint Commission Accreditation Joint Commission accreditation has helped thousands of DME providers reach a new level of recognition in the markets they serve. Supporting Your Growth and Success Our customers tell us they select Joint Commission accreditation to distinguish their services not only because we're the most widely recognized throughout the industry but also because of the many helpful support services we provide to make their accreditation experience a productive and positive one. Reach new heights in quality, service and recognition. Contact us today to learn how to make the transition to Joint Commission accreditation! Call 630-792-5070 or visit www.jointcommission.org/homecare. HME providers, completed beta testing for the new program with a handful of billing companies in September. "This is part of our continued DME ad final alternate versions 9-12_Layout 1 9/12/11 12:36 PM Page 1 effort in accreditation in the chain between the patient and Medi- care," said Mary Nicholas, execu- tive director. HQAA developed the standards for the program from a number of sources, including health informa- tion networks and the Office of Inspector General (OIG). Accreditation is not required for third-party billing companies, but HQAA still believes there's a need. "We've come across enough inde- pendent billing companies that have taken our providers down a path that they shouldn't have gone down," Nicholas said. "It's good to have another set of eyes." Professional Medical Adminis- trators was one of the billing com- panies involved in beta testing. It passed with no deficiencies. Owner Vendors 43 Sylvia Toscano sees benefit in the program for HME providers in that it will help keep billing companies on their toes. "Any type of accreditation requires upkeep," Toscano said. "It forces you to look at what you're doing on a regular basis. Already, after going through the beta test- ing, I want to try to build a better mousetrap." HQAA officially launches the program Jan. 1, 2012. HME