ABSTRACT
In this era of regulation and oversight of all industries, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is not a newcomer to the field of healthcare accreditation and regulation. Although different than the federal regulators, in that JCAHO accreditation is voluntary, the JCAHO accreditation survey process has been recognized by the federal government to have a “deemed status.” Therefore, a healthcare organization that is accredited by the JCAHO is not required to have a separate accreditation survey by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to receive payment for Medicare and Medicaid patients. Most insurance companies, managed care plans, and employers prefer or require JCAHO accreditation, as well, for their healthcare reimbursement.
