State and Payer Recognitions

Below are highlights of Joint Commission state-based recognitions. To view additional Joint Commission programs recognized and relied upon by states as part of their quality oversight activities click here.

Cardiac Certification Recognitions

Kentucky

In 2022, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) was authorized to recognize hospitals as Level I Comprehensive Cardiac Centers, Level II Primary Heart Attack Centers or Level III Acute Heart Attack Ready hospitals through Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 211.341. On an annual basis by May 15, hospitals must update the Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (KHDSP) regarding their certification status if they wish to be recognized in the Kentucky Statewide System for Heart Attack Response and Treatment.

Michigan

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services enacted regulations to designate cardiac care. In order for eligible hospitals to become designated as either STEMI referring or STEMI receiving, they must independently obtain national certification from a department approved certifying organization. This includes The Joint Commission’s cardiac systems of care portfolio of programs, offered in collaboration with the American Heart Association.

Missouri

In 2023, Missouri updated their ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Certified Hospital Designation program to recognize Comprehensive Heart Attack Center as a Level II. Missouri maintains three levels in its ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Certified Hospital Designation program including:

• Level I – Joint Commission Comprehensive Cardiac Center
• Level II – Joint Commission Comprehensive Heart Attack Center or Primary Heart Attack Center
• Level III – Joint Commission Acute Heart Attack Ready

Maternal Levels of Care Verification Recognitions

Florida

With one-year of funding provided by the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative (FPQC) will pay initial site visit cost and first full year annual fee for any Florida maternity hospital willing to apply for and participate in The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care Verification Program.

Georgia

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is collaborating with The Joint Commission to use The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care Verification Program in its designation of levels of maternal care for all eligible Georgia hospitals.

Michigan

Birthing hospitals in Michigan receive funding for a full cycle of Maternal Levels of Care Verification through a State of Michigan-funded grant, administered by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.