Media Contact: Elizabeth Zhani
Media Relations Specialist
630.792.5914
ezhani@jointcommission.org
(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – December 12, 2008) The Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has again granted The Joint Commission deeming authority for ambulatory surgical centers for its maximum six-year period.
The CMS designation means that ambulatory surgical centers accredited by The Joint Commission will be “deemed” as meeting Medicare certification requirements. CMS found that The Joint Commission’s standards for ambulatory surgical centers meet or exceed those established for the Medicare and Medicaid programs. CMS estimated in 2007 that approximately 4,600 ambulatory surgical centers participate in Medicare.
“The Joint Commission is pleased to once again receive this recognition of its accreditation of ambulatory surgical centers,” says Michael Kulczycki, executive director, Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “This public-private collaboration between CMS and The Joint Commission provides quality oversight for ambulatory surgical centers, which are increasingly important as patients undergo surgical procedures in freestanding clinics outside of the traditional hospital setting. It is also significant that this is the third time CMS has granted The Joint Commission’s ASC program deeming authority for the maximum six-year term, sending a strong signal about their confidence in our accreditation process.”
The federal government’s Final Notice granting the deemed status option to The Joint Commission for its accredited ambulatory surgical centers was published in the Federal Register on November 14. The Joint Commission has been granted deeming authority for ambulatory surgical centers since 1996.
Accreditation is voluntary and seeking deemed status through accreditation is an option, not a requirement. Beginning in 2007, organizations seeking entry into the Medicare program must be certified initially by one of four accrediting bodies, including The Joint Commission, that have been awarded “deeming authority” from CMS. For subsequent surveys, organizations may choose to be surveyed either by an accrediting body, such as The Joint Commission, or by state surveyors on behalf of CMS. All deemed status surveys are unannounced.
Established in 1975, The Joint Commission Ambulatory Accreditation Program accredits more than 1,600 freestanding organizations that offer surgical, diagnostic/therapeutic and medical/dental services. More information about the Ambulatory Accreditation Program is available on The Joint Commission website at www.jointcommission.org or contact Michael Kulczycki at 630.792.5286 or mkulczycki@jointcommission.org.
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