What types of providers does the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program now have deeming authority over?

The Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) holds deeming authority over a wide variety of provider types, which is critical for ensuring compliance with certain federal standards established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This authority allows HFAP to evaluate and accredit various healthcare facilities beyond just medical or osteopathic hospitals, reflecting its comprehensive approach to quality assurance across the healthcare system.

Deeming authority enables accredited organizations to be recognized as meeting the necessary criteria for Medicare and Medicaid participation, which can significantly streamline regulatory processes for diverse types of facilities. These include hospitals, outpatient facilities, and a range of other healthcare provider types, all aimed at improving patient care and safety. This broad scope ensures that multiple healthcare settings are consistently evaluated, fostering a higher standard of care across the board.

In contrast, the other options focus narrowly on specific types of providers, which does not represent the full breadth of HFAP’s regulatory purview and could lead to a misunderstanding of its comprehensive accreditation capabilities.