CMS Renews Joint Commission's Deeming Authority for Hospice

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS, Baltimore, Md.) has renewed The Joint Commission’s (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) deeming authority for hospice organizations for the maximum six-year term allowed.

The six-year designation means that hospice organizations accredited by The Joint Commission will be “deemed” as meeting Medicare and Medicaid certification requirements and are eligible for Medicare reimbursement. According to the organization, CMS found that The Joint Commission’s standards for hospice meet or exceed those established for the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Accreditation is voluntary and seeking deemed status through accreditation is an option, not a requirement.