Joint Commission introduces VAD certification program
Device Regulation Alert: Safety, Compliance and Reimbursement News, September 17, 2007
This month, The Joint Commission announced the launch of its certification program for hospitals seeking to implant ventricular assist devices (VADs) for destination therapy.
In the May 7 issue of Device Regulation Alert, we told you about CMS's new coverage criteria for facilities CMS requires such facilities get Joint Commission certification under the Disease Specific Certification Program for VADs. Facilities that are already CMS-approved for VAD have until March 27, 2009, to satisfy this new requirement or be removed from the CMS list of approved facilities.
In a September 4, 2007, press release, the Joint Commission indicated it will conduct on-site reviews of organizations seeking the VAD certification. Successful applicants will receive "a certificate of distinction under The Joint Commission's Disease-Specific Care (DSC) Program for Ventricular Assist Device." The required standards that organizations must meet cover "program management, delivering or facilitating care; performance measurement; supporting self management; clinical information systems; and VAD-specific requirements."
Medicare has covered VADs for destination therapy since October 2003. CMS's National Coverage Determination for VADs for destination therapy previously required facilities implanting the VAD receive approval from CMS to do so. VADs for destination therapy assist the heart in pumping blood for patients not eligible for heart transplants. Medicare also covers VADs as a bridge to heart transplants or to support circulation after open-heart surgery.
Click here to read CMS's April 13 transmittal announcing the new facility criteria requiring Joint Commission certification. Click here to read The Joint Commission's news release.
Related Products
-
ePharm5 InDepth
EPharm5 e-mail newsletter delivers the top 5 developments in pharma business innovation, with original research, interviews...
-
Big Pharma Performance Before, During and Beyond the Global Recession
This report assesses the performance of the leading 15 pharmaceutical companies up to, during and beyond the recent global...
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- Q/A: Volume requirement for reporting hydration services
- Featured blog post: Nurses face felony charges after reporting physician to the Texas Medical Board
- Catch up on what's new with injections and infusions
- Topic: CMS, OESS post new security compliance review information, checklist
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- QA:Coding multiple initial infusions
- Capturing all necessary codes for IUD insertion and removal can be challenging
- News and briefs: Oklahoma Osteopathic Association against residency bill change
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- HIPAA Q&A: Level of encryption needed for email
- E-mailed
-
- Q/A: Volume requirement for reporting hydration services
- Featured blog post: Nurses face felony charges after reporting physician to the Texas Medical Board
- Catch up on what's new with injections and infusions
- New conflicts of interest create new challenges
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- Joint Commission Center announces handoff communication solutions
- Inside best practice: Reduce patient falls with a stoplight
- Identify modifiable risk factors to prevent patient falls
- Hospitalist-surgeon comanagement has no effect on outcomes
- HIPAA Q&A: Level of encryption needed for email
- Searched