AOs work to accommodate providers looking to make switch 

YARMOUTH, Maine – Accrediting organizations (AOs) say the situation between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Board of Certification/ Accreditation (BOC) is adding “another layer of complexity” to a major new requirement. 

On Dec. 2, about one month before an annual resurvey and reaccreditation requirement went into effect on Jan. 1, CMS removed BOC from its list of approved AOs, leaving certain DMEPOS providers scrambling to find another AO. 

BOC responded by filing a lawsuit, and at a hearing on Jan. 9, a district court granted BOC’s motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO), restoring its status as an approved AO. (Restrictions announced in May 2025 continue to be in place, however, for providers in California, Florida, New York and Texas.) 

“Most have switched and have a signed contract with TCT,” said Sandy Canally, founder and CEO of The Compliance Team. “I would think that most providers would stay with the AO they switched to, during their time of need. This whole ordeal has been understandably frustrating and upsetting to the providers impacted. I will just reiterate that we are here for those that either cannot be served by BOC in the states of Florida, California, New York and Texas, or with those that have chosen to go another AO that better meets their needs.” 

Chaos before court decision  

The phones at TCT were “ringing off the hook,” in the wake of CMS’s initial decision, Canally says. 

“There's everything we’re all putting together for that effective date and now we have these folks feeling stranded,” she said. 

The Healthcare Quality Association for Accreditation (HQAA) was getting its fair share of inquiries, too, says Rhonda Pearce, executive director. 

“We’re fielding calls and making it as smooth as possible for those who want to make the transition,” she said. 

The Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) wrote an open letter to providers in response to CMS’s decision. 

“The situation with BOC has added another layer of complexity,” wrote COO Teresa Harbour. “If your organization was compliant under BOC, you will find CHAP’s standards familiar and the transition straightforward. We provide a clear roadmap and practical tools to help you adapt with minimal disruption.” 

CMS shows grace 

Pearce says CMS has shown flexibility for providers working to switch AOs. 

“CMS is working with those providers, especially if they are close to the expiration date (for their accreditation), to give them a little more time to get it done,” she said. “We had a customer come to us who was able to get an extension.” 

Canally agrees, saying “CMS is being gracious in certain instances, if you go to them with, ‘This is the scenario.’” 

CMS has also clarified that a provider’s annual resurvey and reaccreditation cycle will not begin until the expiration of its current three-year cycle, if issued prior to Jan. 1, 2026. 

BOC: 'We are grateful for ongoing trust'

In response to the court's order, BOC president and CEO Judi Knott said in a press release: “We will continue to keep our customers informed and are grateful for their ongoing trust. Our commitment to quality and to the professionals and businesses we serve remains steadfast, and we look forward to assisting with businesses’ accreditation needs.” 

The company says providers with questions should contact BOC Compliance at compliance@bocusa.org for individualized support and guidance to limit potential gaps in accreditation.