PSO application process should take over a year

If you’re just beginning your planning process for a potential provider-sponsored organization (PSO), you’re not too late. Most experts say it will be at least late 1998 to early 1999 before HCFA will be ready to start processing PSO applications. Arthur Andersen Consulting estimates that the PSO application/approval process will take between 18 and 24 months from initial groundwork to final approval. Here are ballpark estimates of how long you can expect to spend during various stages of the application and start-up process:

Operational development three to 12 months

Application development three to six months

State license process three months

Possible waiver process two months

HCFA application processing four to six months

Site visit/ final processing one to two months