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1. Q: When does the phase-out plan go into effect?
The phase-out plan goes into effect January 1, 2002.
2. Q: How long will our accreditation continue?
Programs and/or services accredited as of December 31, 2001 will have the option to continue accreditation on an annual basis through December 31, 2004.
3. Q: What does our program need to do to maintain our accreditation and what standards do we use?
ASHA will send you an Annual Accreditation Maintenance Report form in January of each year. You must complete and return the form by the specified deadline. Your report will reflect compliance with the Standards and Implementation for Professional Services Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology , effective January 1, 2002.
4. Q: Will there be a fee for continuing our accreditation?
No.
5. Q: Will our program receive a refund of any fees we have paid to date?
No. You have already received services for any fees you have paid. In addition, your accreditation will be maintained with no additional fees through December 31, 2004.
6. Q: Will ASHA rescind our current certificate and will we receive a new certificate annually?
ASHA will replace your current certificate with documentation acknowledging your accreditation for each year that you maintain accreditation through December 31, 2004.
7. Q: How long can we continue to advertise as an ASHA-accredited Professional Services program?
Programs and/or services accredited as of December 31, 2001, can be advertised (brochures, letterhead, business cards, print advertising, etc.) as ASHA-accredited until December 31, 2004, dependent on completion of an Annual Accreditation Maintenance Report. It is the expectation of ASHA that, after January 1, 2005, programs will remove any reference to CPSA or ASHA accreditation in all public information regarding the professional services program.
8. Q: Will we still be assigned to a Program Evaluation Review Team (PERT)?
No. PERT teams will not be operational after December 31, 2001.
9. Q: How will this affect my clinical fellows?
Clinical fellows who complete their fellowship prior to December 31, 2004 will not be affected as long as your program chooses to maintain its professional services accreditation. Clinical fellows completing fellowships after this date, or after your program discontinues accreditation, will need to complete the Clinical Fellowship Report in its entirety.
10. Q: How will discontinuation of ASHA’s professional services accreditation program affect programs in Michigan?
ASHA has notified the appropriate agencies in Michigan of the discontinuation of ASHA’s professional services accreditation program. Agencies in Michigan are responsible for developing new criteria for reimbursement.
11. Q: How does this affect my joint CPSA/CARF accreditation?
ASHA has notified the appropriate CARF officials of the discontinuation of ASHA’s professional services accreditation program. Your program’s joint accreditation will continue until the end of its current CARF/CPSA cycle. At the end of your current joint cycle, your program will have the option of continuing ASHA professional services accreditation through December 31, 2004.
12. Q: What services will ASHA provide after December 31, 2001? Whom do we contact at ASHA after December 31, 2001?
ASHA National Office will maintain hard-copy listings of accredited programs and posted listings of accredited programs on the ASHA Web site and ProServ. National Office staff will continue to respond to inquiries and disseminate information related to professional service standards.
For information after December 31, 2001, please contact ASHA’s credentialing unit at 1-800-498-2071.
13. Q: What will happen after December 31, 2004?
The phase-out of ASHA’s professional services accreditation program will be complete, and ASHA will no longer maintain professional services accreditation. As of January 1, 2005, quality indicators for professional services will be in place for program development and improvement.
14. Q: How can our program maintain credibility within our facility and with the public?
ASHA remains committed to ensuring that professional services provided to the public are of high quality. The Association maintains and promotes standards for the delivery of services, encourages their use by all providers of professional services, and provides a mechanism for voluntary program evaluation. ASHA encourages you to publicize your program’s adherence to ASHA’s professional service standards with consumers, administrators, and other constituents.
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