Deemed Status

Health care organizations that want to participate in and receive payment from the Medicare or Medicaid programs must be certified as complying with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs), or standards, set forth in federal regulations. This certification is based on a survey conducted by a state agency on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

However, if a national accrediting organization such as the Joint Commission has and enforces standards that meet the federal CoPs, CMS may grant the accrediting organization "deeming" authority and "deem" each accredited health care organization as meeting the Medicare and Medicaid certification requirements. The health care organization would have "deemed status" and would not be subject to the Medicare survey and certification process because it has already been surveyed by the accrediting organization.

Accreditation is voluntary and seeking deemed status through accreditation is an option, not a requirement. Organizations seeking CMS approval may choose to be surveyed either by an accrediting body, such as the Joint Commission, DNV, and HFAP, or by state surveyors on behalf of CMS.