Hospices: HCFA Accepts JCAHO Accrediation For Medicare

Legal Eagle Eye Newsletter for the Nursing Profession

July 1999  

  Quick Summary: On June 18, 1999 HCFA announced that it has recognized the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as a national accreditation organization for hospices that wish to participate in the Medicare program.

  Hospices accredited by JCAHO are deemed by HCFA to meet Medicare participation requirements without survey and certification by a state agency.

  This announcement takes effect June 18, 1999 and remains in effect until June 18, 2003, according to HCFA.

  HCFA noted that this announcement does not change the fact that the Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc. (CHAP) has also been recognized (on April 20, 1999) as a national accreditation organization for hospices that participate in Medicare.

Pages 32881 – 32886.