What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a process that healthcare facilities undergo to demonstrate that it has meet the standards require by law. Accreditation is a requirement that some programs use in order to grant permission for participatation. Programs, like the Centers of Medicare and Medicare / CMS, require accreditation from approved accrediting bodies in order to participate in Medicare. Accreditation is done by an independent accrediting body. An example of this would be The Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission is a nonprofit organization that sets standards and guidelines for participating healthcare facilities. These standards and guidelines are considered more rigorous than require by law. A healthcare facility accredited by The Joint Commission would be considered above board. The accrediting process is done by an on-site survey that occurs every 3 years.