CMS Enacts More Rigid Accreditation Requirement for DMEPOS Suppliers
Latest News
CMS’ Final Rule released November 2025 replaces the three-year accreditation cycle with an annual (at least every 12 months) renewal requirement and enforces more stringent compliance requirements.
Why It Matters
The shift from a three-year accreditation cycle to at least every 12 months accreditation is a major change for DMEPOS suppliers. CMS expects suppliers to maintain consistent readiness, not just prepare every few years. Accreditation Organizations (AOs) are already seeing more suppliers challenged with documentation requirements, licensure, and day-to-day operational processes. These issues can slow down the survey process, increase costs, and potentially put a supplier’s PTAN at risk.
AAHomecare offers the following tips and resources to help you navigate key changes, the most common compliance issues AOs are reporting, and practical steps suppliers can take to stay ahead of the new requirements.
What the New Accreditation Requirements Means for You
The new accreditation requirements introduce several changes that affect how suppliers operate and prepare for accreditation:
- Annual accreditation — renew at least every 12 months instead of every three years
- Shorter preparation windows — less time to gather documents, correct issues, and schedule surveys
- More consistent compliance expectations — suppliers must always be “survey?ready”
- Higher PTAN risk — lapses can take a year or more to resolve
Annual accreditation means suppliers must be diligent on documentation, licensure, and staff training. Even small lapses in procedures that could have been caught and corrected over a three?year cycle will now show up quickly.
Steps Suppliers Should Take Now
To stay ahead of annual accreditation, suppliers should focus on strengthening their internal processes and being ready year?round. If your accreditation lapses, you risk losing your PTAN — and the process to get it back can take a year or more.
Key steps include:
- Start your renewal early — submit applications at least 120 days before expiration
- Audit patient records — ensure documentation is complete and consistent
- Review personnel files — keep credentials and training records current
- Observe staff in the field — ride?along and direct observation help catch issues early
- Strengthen your Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) program — ongoing process improvement is essential under annual accreditation
FAQs
AAHomecare’s Role and Ongoing Support
AAHomecare continues to work with CMS and the AOs to reduce the burden of the changes in the accreditation process and ensure suppliers have clear, consistent guidance. Members can stay informed through:
- Regulatory updates
- CMS engagement updates
- AAHomecare Member alerts
AAHomecare Member Accreditation Organizations
This resource is provided for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice. Companies should consult a health care attorney for legal counsel/advice related to these issues.