CMS-Deemed Accreditation
DMEPOS Certification

Board of Certification/Accreditation

CMS-Deemed Accreditation
DMEPOS Certification

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

General 

Is BOC open for business?

BOC is open and ready to serve our customers. Staff members are working remotely and fully operational.

I need to mail a letter/package to BOC. What is the best way to send it?

All USPS mail is being forwarded to staff.  If you need to send a package, FedEx and UPS are our preferred shipping vendors.

If you have a question about whether a letter or package has been received by BOC, please email us at info@bocusa.org.

Our physical building address is: Board of Certification/Accreditation, 10461 Mill Run Circle – Suite 1250, Owings Mills, MD  21117.

I have a payment due to BOC and cannot get into my office due to quarantine or temporary closure. What should I do?

Customers have secure, 24/7 access to their account through the MyBOC portal. For specific questions, contact us at 877-776-2200 or info@bocusa.org.

What if I need to update/change my contact information or address due to the COVID-19 crisis?

To make a temporary change to your contact information:

  • Email us at one of the following addresses so that we can remain connected.

Once the COVID-19 crisis has passed and your business resumes normal operations, be sure to update BOC.

To make a permanent change to the physical address of a BOC accredited facility:

Accreditation

My accreditation is expiring. What do I do?

CMS has resumed all accreditation and reaccreditation activities for DMEPOS suppliers–including surveys–BOC is ready to help you quickly comply with CMS requirements.

For ESTABLISHED SUPPLIERS who need to complete the reaccreditation process, contact us at 877-776-2200 or send us an e-mail.

For additional information, review the July 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please refer to item number 20.

I have applied for accreditation and am awaiting my survey. What can I expect to happen? Is it even possible to become accredited during the COVID-19 pandemic?

In July 2020, CMS resumed all accreditation activities for DMEPOS suppliers–including surveys. BOC is ready to help you quickly comply with CMS requirements and achieve accreditation–AND–we offer in-person and virtual surveys.

New DMEPOS suppliers enrolled in Medicare during the PHE, after March 1, 2020, without initial accreditation will be required to

  • apply for accreditation within 30 calendar days of notification from the National Supplier Clearinghouse and
  • required to achieve the accreditation within 90 days of the notification.

For additional information, review the July 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please refer to item number 20.

Contact us at 877-776-2200 or send us an e-mail.

My business is experiencing some continuity issues because of COVID-19, including some potential cash flow problems. Can you recommend any resources?

CMS and the Federal Government have issued measures to help businesses during this crisis. These include:

  • CARES Act: offers additional options for Small Business Loans through the Small Business Administration 
    • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) 
      • SBA reopened First Draw PPP Loan applications during the week of January 11, 2021.
      • SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021. Please follow the guidance of the Small Business Administration regarding the application process, as there are different processes for different situations.
What advice do you have for me if I need to temporarily close my business due to the COVID-19 crisis?

Follow your emergency management protocols. Visit the CMS website for official guidance on how to handle a reduction in hours or temporary closure of your facility. At a minimum, post a sign and indicate a phone number for assistance. Create a new voicemail message so those calling will be aware of the situation.

Due to the risk of potential virus exposure, some people are unwilling to sign for equipment we are providing. What guidance can you provide with regard to the "proof-of-delivery" requirement?

CMS has waived signature and proof of delivery requirements during this emergency period. Document patient files with the delivery date/time and add a note that a signature was unable to be obtained because of COVID-19.

What if my state shuts down non-essential business? Does that apply to me?

Please refer to the Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as your state.gov websites, for further clarification.

I have an emergency management plan, but I’m not sure that it is adequate to cover a pandemic, such as COVID-19. What should I do?

As in any emergency, review, update, and follow your emergency/disaster management plans. Refer to resources and guidelines issued by both the CDC website page: Resources for Clinics and Healthcare Facilities and the CDC website page: Coronavirus (COVID-19), making sure that you are educating patients of their continued care options and educating employees about plan implementation. Contact your accountant or financial consultant for advice on implementing your business continuity plan.

O&P Almanac October 2020: Contingency Planning During the COVID Pandemic by BOC Credentialing Director Matthew Gruskin, MBA, BOCO, BOCPD, CDME

What is BOC's guidance regarding telehealth?

BOC recognizes telehealth as an important component of modern healthcare delivery systems and we encourage providers to be aware of how to incorporate telehealth into the services they provide.

Currently, there is no reimbursement mechanism for telehealth consultation by DMEPOS providers, but providers and their patients may find it helpful and convenient. Read the BOC Telehealth Statement for more information.

Certification

Are BOC-certified practitioners considered healthcare workers who are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine?

The vaccine roll-out and group definitions vary from state to state. To find out if you are eligible, you can contact your local health department.

How do I keep myself safe and continue to care for patients?

Visit CDC Resources for Business and Employers and CDC Resources for Healthcare Facilities for specific information on personal hygiene, sanitizing equipment, and how to handle social distancing as a healthcare professional.

Contact us at 877-776-2200 or send us an e-mail.

What is BOC's guidance regarding telehealth?

BOC recognizes telehealth as an important component of modern healthcare delivery systems and we encourage providers to be aware of how to incorporate telehealth into the services they provide.

Currently, there is no reimbursement mechanism for telehealth consultation by DMEPOS providers, but providers and their patients may find it helpful and convenient. Read the BOC Telehealth Statement for more information.

How can I take my mastectomy/orthotic fitter class to prepare myself for certification when I can’t travel?

BOC is working with the mastectomy/orthotic fitter educators to address this concern. For a list of providers that offer BOC-approved virtual labs (instead of the face-to-face component), please email cert@bocusa.org.

I was scheduled to take my certification exam, and my test center is closed. Can I get a refund?

In response to the health crisis, PSI is offering no-cost rescheduling. Visit the PSI webpage for COVID-19 messages, rescheduling policies, and a full list of test site closures.

BOC now offers live, remotely proctored testing which allows candidates to take their exam from their computer. Visit our webpage for more information.

Have Questions? We Have Answers!