CMS pilots a new way to assess hospital accrediting organizations

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced it will be launching a new method to better evaluate organizations tasked with accrediting and inspecting most U.S. hospitals to determine whether providers and suppliers are compliant with federal requirements relating to health and safety. The announcement came after a 2017 investigation by the Wall Street Journal, which found that the Joint Commission, responsible for accrediting nearly 80 percent of U.S. hospitals, did not appropriately modify or revoke a hospital’s accreditation when inspectors identified safety violations.

• The agency will pilot its new evaluation process in Georgia, Ohio and Texas
• Within the new program, state inspectors will observe facilities during the accrediting organizations' self-assessment period rather than within 60 days after the assessment
• CMS will also incorporate state complaint investigations of accredited facilities to better identify, address and monitor noncompliant facilities and track accrediting organizations’ performance

The agency also noted it would begin publishing online accredited organization performance data, a list of hospitals and health organizations that are noncompliant with safety laws, and a list of the organizations that accredited the noncompliant facilities.

Let us be your source for monthly updates on the ever-evolving healthcare industry. From legislative changes to policy updates, we’ve got you covered.

For more information on this topic, or to learn how Baker Tilly healthcare specialists can help, contact our team.