The Joint Commission Achieves Renewed Deeming Authority From U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for Laboratories

The Joint Commission announces it has achieved renewed deeming authority from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its Laboratory and Point-of-Care Testing Accreditation Program, effective May 24, 2024 through May 24, 2030. Six years is the maximum term of approval granted by CMS.

Clinical laboratories wishing to obtain Medicare reimbursement may be accredited by a CMS-approved accrediting organization (AO) that has been awarded deeming authority from CMS under the CLIA program.

To earn its renewed deeming authority, The Joint Commission was recognized by CMS for fulfilling all necessary requirements under the CLIA program. CLIA regulations require that all laboratories be surveyed on a two-year cycle during an on-site survey or inspection by an approved AO for all non-waived tests of moderate or high complexity.

The Joint Commission has been approved to accredit organizations in the following specialty and subspeciality areas:

• Microbiology (bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology and virology)
• Diagnostic immunology (syphilis serology and general immunology)
• Chemistry (routine chemistry, toxicology and endocrinology)
• Hematology (routine hematology and coagulation)
• Immunohematology (ABO Group, D (Rho) typing, unexpected antibody detection, compatibility testing and antibody identification)
• Pathology (histopathology, oral pathology and cytology)

“With renewed deeming authority from CMS, The Joint Commission can continue helping laboratories across the country provide high-quality, safe laboratory services,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “In compliance with CLIA regulations, the Laboratory and Point-of Care Testing Accreditation Program serves as a framework for laboratories to conduct their tests with intent to improve patient outcomes.”

For more information on The Joint Commission’s Laboratory and Point-of-Care Testing Accreditation Program, please visit The Joint Commission website.