Under Medicare hospital accreditation considerations, which statement is true?

• A. Certification may be granted before a survey is conducted
• B. Hospitals accredited by TJC and AOA are deemed to meet all Medicare requirements
• C. Immediate access to surveyors must be allowed upon reasonable request
• D. Accreditation status has no bearing on Medicare certification

Answer: (C)

Access and cooperation during survey processes are essential in Medicare accreditation. Even when a hospital holds accreditation from a CMS-approved body, Medicare can perform on-site verification to confirm continued compliance with the required standards. If a surveyor requests access, the hospital must provide it without unnecessary delay, including access to personnel, records, and areas as needed. This requirement ensures the accreditation remains valid and that the hospital continues to meet Medicare conditions of participation.

Certification isn’t granted before a survey is conducted; the survey is the formal assessment that supports certification decisions. While accreditation bodies like TJC or AOA can confer deeming status, this does not eliminate the need for access during surveys nor guarantee blanket exemption from CMS verification. Accrediting status does have bearing on Medicare certification, but the specific obligation described—allowing surveyors’ access upon reasonable request—is the most directly true statement.