The Joint Commission Achieves Renewed Deeming Approval From U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for Ambulatory Surgical Centers

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Maureen Lyons
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(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, July 31, 2024) – The Joint Commission announces it has achieved renewed deeming approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its Ambulatory Surgical Center Accreditation Program, effective September 1, 2024, through September 1, 2030. Six years is the maximum term of approval granted by CMS.

In renewing The Joint Commission’s deeming approval, CMS determined that The Joint Commission’s standards and survey process meet or exceed those established by CMS. Accreditation is voluntary and seeking deemed status through accreditation is an option—not a requirement. Organizations seeking Medicare approval 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. Any ambulatory surgical center deemed to meet the CMS requirements is subject to validation and complaint investigation surveys performed by CMS or its agent(s).

“With renewed deeming approval from CMS, The Joint Commission can continue to help healthcare organizations across the nation provide the safest and highest quality ambulatory care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “Through participation in our Ambulatory Surgical Center Accreditation Program, organizations will receive a framework for enhancing their performance reliability and minimizing risks associated with ambulatory care.”

For more information on The Joint Commission’s Ambulatory Surgical Center Accreditation Program, please visit The Joint Commission website.

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About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 23,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.