Accreditation & Surveys
Accreditation and surveys
Three different things are often confused: the state license (and its licensure survey), Medicare certification (by a state survey agency or a deemed accreditor), and accreditation itself, which is voluntary. This section explains each, who is approved for what, and where they overlap. No accreditation standard is reproduced; standards are described and linked.
Educational summary, last reviewed October 17, 2026. Not legal advice — confirm with the state licensing agency or counsel.
Who CMS approves, for what
| Accreditor | Medicare home health | Medicare hospice | Home infusion therapy supplier | DMEPOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Joint Commission | March 31, 2026 – March 31, 2032 source | June 18, 2025 – June 18, 2030 source | December 15, 2023 – December 15, 2029 source | Approved source |
| CHAP | March 31, 2024 – March 31, 2030 source | November 20, 2024 – November 20, 2029 source | September 25, 2024 – September 25, 2030 source | Approved source |
| ACHC | February 24, 2025 – February 24, 2031 source | November 27, 2025 – November 27, 2031 source | April 23, 2024 – April 23, 2030 source | Approved source |
| URAC | No | No | March 27, 2024 – March 27, 2030 | No |
| NABP | No | No | September 26, 2024 – September 26, 2030 | Approved |
| The Compliance Team | No | No | September 28, 2024 – September 28, 2030 | Approved |
| HQAA, ABC, BOC | No | No | No | Approved |
How the three overlap
- State license. Issued under state law, with the state’s own licensure survey. Accreditation never replaces a required license; some states accept it in place of the routine licensure survey (map).
- Medicare certification. After the MAC reviews the CMS-855A, either the state survey agency or a CMS-approved accreditor surveys against the Conditions of Participation; CMS certifies. During the 2026 moratorium, initial surveys of non-exempt new agencies do not proceed (surveys and certification).
- Accreditation. Voluntary. Deemed programs stand in for the certification survey; non-deemed programs (private duty, pharmacy, ambulatory infusion centers) carry no Medicare certification.
Guides
The Joint Commission accreditation
A reference guide to The Joint Commission accreditation for home-based care: CMS recognition by program, eligibility, application and prerequisites, standards, what surveyors review, decisions, corrections, renewal, deemed status and state recognition.
Read the guideAccreditation guideCHAP accreditation
A reference guide to CHAP accreditation for home-based care: CMS recognition by program, eligibility, application and prerequisites, standards, what surveyors review, decisions, corrections, renewal, deemed status and state recognition.
Read the guideAccreditation guideACHC accreditation
A reference guide to ACHC accreditation for home-based care: CMS recognition by program, eligibility, application and prerequisites, standards, what surveyors review, decisions, corrections, renewal, deemed status and state recognition.
Read the guideAccreditation guideOther CMS-approved accreditors
Which other accrediting organizations CMS approves for home infusion therapy suppliers and DMEPOS suppliers (URAC, NABP, The Compliance Team, HQAA, ABC, BOC), with approval terms and sources..
Read the guideAccreditation guideSurveys and certification
How state survey agencies, CMS and accrediting organizations survey and certify home health agencies and hospices: initial surveys and their priority, the moratorium, survey frequency, deficiencies and plans of correction, and state licensure surveys..
Read the guideAbout this section. Published and maintained by Paloma Health Technologies; see the editorial policy. Paloma Health Technologies is not an accrediting organization and has no affiliation with those named.