CMS recognizes J-Co's critical access hospital accreditation

The Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has named The Joint Commission deeming authority for accreditation of critical access hospitals, meaning they can meet requirements for reimbursement by the CMS.

The CMS found TJC’s standards for critical access hospitals meet or exceed those established by the Medicare and Medicaid program. The CMS notice of approval was published Sept. 23 in the Federal Register, which reported that the deeming authority will become effective Nov. 21 and last for six years.

“The Joint Commission is pleased to once again receive this recognition for critical access hospitals, which are vital to the health of Americans, especially its rural residents,” said Mark R. Chassin, MD, president of TJC, in a statement. “This public-private collaboration between CMS and the Joint Commission creates the necessary quality and safety oversight framework for these hospitals.”

Critical access hospitals are those with less than 25 acute-care beds and an annual average length of stay per patient of 96 hours. They receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare. Accreditation is not required, but organizations seeking Medicare approval may choose to be accredited through TJC or state surveyors on behalf of the CMS.

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