CMS Issues Final Rule With Comment About Strengthening Oversight Of Accrediting Organizations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule with comment that revises accrediting organization requirements “to bolster AO oversight and ensure providers meet health and safety standards so that patients receive high-quality, safe care” from U.S. health care facilities.

The final rule would hold AOs accountable to the same Medicare standards of state survey agencies, ensure AOs remain independent reviewers, prevent AO conflicts of interest, improve AO performance, and improve consistency and standardization in surveys. The Missouri Hospital Association published an issue brief with additional details.