On February 8th, CMS announced a proposed rule for Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflict of Interest. AOs survey over 9,000 health care providers and suppliers participating in the Medicare/Medicaid program to ensure they meet CMS compliance standards. When AOs request and receive CMS approval to determine compliance on behalf of CMS for facilities they accredit, they take on a public trust responsibility to hold those providers and suppliers accountable.
This proposed rule bolsters AO performance and oversight to ensure providers meet health and safety standards, so patients receive high-quality, safe care from our nation’s health care facilities. Changes in this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) include addressing conflicts of interest with health care facilities accredited by the AO; holding AOs accountable to the same standards as state Survey Agencies (SAs) that also conduct surveys on behalf of CMS and improving consistency and standardization in surveys nationwide.
The NPRM more closely aligns AO survey activity requirements and staff training with those of SAs. The NPRM also requires AOs with poor performance to submit a publicly reported correction plan to CMS. The NPRM aligns with CMS’ national quality strategy to shape a resilient, high-quality health care system. This rule will have implications for our home health and hospice members who engage with accrediting organizations. We will review the rule and provide a more detailed summary in the coming days and solicit feedback from impacted members.
