The following notification I received today 5/30/2012 via email from AAAHC in which describes the change in the 2012 AAAHC handbook for the Medicare deem status early option survey. The following is not my words, I just copy and pasted the letter from the accrediting organization AAAHC. It reads as follows:
“Important policy change to the 2012 Accreditation Handbook Including Medicare Requirements for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) for organizations applying for EOS/Initial Medicare Deemed Status Survey.
Because an ASC seeking a Medicare Deemed status survey must be open and operational, CMS has advised AAAHC to revise its policies regarding the Early Option Survey/Initial Medicare Deemed Status Survey. These policy changes will apply to ASCs that submit an application for an Early Option Survey/Initial Medicare Deemed Status Survey on or after July 1, 2012.
The changes below represent updates to policies found on in the 2012 Accreditation Handbook Including Medicare Requirements for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), page 12:
The AAAHC’s early option survey (EOS) is for ASCs that are newly constructed, operational, and actively providing surgical procedures to adequately demonstrate compliance with AAAHC accreditation requirements including Medicare requirements. Some ASCs may require accreditation for third-party reimbursement, and a six-month wait for a survey would entail financial hardship; or they may have been providing services for less than six months and are seeking AAAHC accreditation and Medicare deemed status for the first time.
When an EOS is requested, the ASC must provide evidence of the following with its Application for Survey:
- The date the ASC is open and operational and actively providing surgical procedures to adequately demonstrate compliance with AAAHC accreditation requirements including Medicare requirements.
An EOS/Initial Medicare Deemed Status Survey is conducted during the ninety (90) day survey window on an unannounced basis after the ASC has opened. A minimum of ten medical records must be available for review. The names of the surveyors are not disclosed prior to the survey. The surveyors will observe a surgical procedure during the survey.”
Here’s to your success,
NB