CMS is probing accreditation bodies about potential conflicts of interest.
Here's what you should know:
1. CMS requested public comments on accrediting organizations Dec. 18. The agency wants to determine whether accrediting organizations consulting with facilities they accredit creates any conflicts of interest.
2. Some accrediting organizations say they've separated their consulting and accreditation activities, according to the RFI. However, CMS is "concerned that these firewalls may not be sufficient."
"We have concerns that this dual function may undermine, or appear to undermine, the integrity of the accreditation programs and could erode the public trust in the safety of CMS-accredited providers and suppliers," the agency said.
3. Comments must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 19, 2019. Responses will be used to assist in future rulemaking, according to the CMS document.
4. Accrediting bodies have been under heightened scrutiny since The Wall Street Journal published an article in September 2017 questioning the organizations' performance, transparency and potential conflicts of interests, as well as CMS oversight of the entities.
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