In a recent press release, Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) announced its approval by the Maryland Department of Health, to perform accreditation surveys in lieu of ongoing state licensure surveys for Home Health agencies and Hospices, in accordance with state law.
“This approval from the Maryland Department of Health means that home health agencies and hospices who are accredited by ACHC will no longer receive ongoing state licensure surveys,” said Teresa Harbour, ACHC’s Program Director for Home Health, Hospice, and Private Duty programs. “We appreciate the value Maryland
Department of Health sees in accreditation and we applaud their willingness to work with us to offer ACHC accredited agencies an alternative to ongoing licensure surveys.”
The Maryland Department of Health has reviewed ACHC’s Accreditation Standards and survey process and confirmed that they meet the state’s licensure requirements. On December 12, 2017, Dr. Patricia Tomsko Nay announced that home health agencies and hospices accredited by ACHC are deemed to comply with Maryland State licensure requirements and are exempt from routine licensure surveys conducted by the Department.
To remain licensed, deemed Home Health agencies and Hospices must continue to submit a renewal application and comply with applicable Maryland Health Care Commission requirements. With the application, the licensee seeking deemed status for state licensure proposes, must submit its currently applicable ACHC inspection results and all supporting documentation.
For more information on ACHC accreditation in-lieu of ongoing licensure surveys in Maryland, contact us at customerservice@achc.org.
