{"id":553,"date":"2026-08-03T16:32:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T16:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=553"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:32:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T16:32:51","slug":"department-of-health-and-human-services-centers-for-medicare-strengthening-oversight-of-accrediting-organizations-aos-and-preventing-ao-conflicts-of-interest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=553","title":{"rendered":"Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Highlights<\/h2>\n
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GAO reviewed the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) new rule entitled “Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions.” GAO found that the final rule (1) sets forth provisions to strengthen the oversight of Medicare national accrediting organizations by addressing conflicts of interest, establishing consistent standards, processes, and definitions, and updating the validation and performance standards systems; and (2) revises the psychiatric hospital survey process, adds a limitation on terminated deemed providers and suppliers when reentering the program, and provides technical corrections for End-Stage Renal Disease facilities and Transplant Programs.<\/p>\n

Enclosed is our assessment of CMS’s compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact me at (202) 512-8156.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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B-338498<\/p>\n

July 1, 2026<\/p>\n

The Honorable Mike Crapo
\nChairman
\nThe Honorable Ron Wyden
\nRanking Member
\nCommittee on Finance
\nUnited States Senate<\/p>\n

The Honorable Brett Guthrie
\nChairman
\nThe Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr.
\nRanking Member
\nCommittee on Energy and Commerce
\nHouse of Representatives<\/p>\n

The Honorable Jason Smith
\nChairman
\nThe Honorable Richard Neal
\nRanking Member
\nCommittee on Ways and Means
\nHouse of Representatives<\/p>\n

Subject: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) entitled \u201cMedicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions\u201d (RIN: 0938-AU88). We received the rule on June 15, 2026. It was published in the Federal Register<\/em> on June 16, 2026. 91 Fed. Reg. 36370. The effective date of the rule is June 16, 2027.<\/p>\n

According to CMS, this rule sets forth provisions to strengthen the oversight of Medicare national accrediting organizations by addressing conflicts of interest, establishing consistent standards, processes, and definitions, and updating the validation and performance standards systems. CMS states that the rule also revises the psychiatric hospital survey process, adds a limitation on terminated deemed providers and suppliers when reentering the program, and provides technical corrections for End-Stage Renal Disease facilities and Transplant Programs.<\/p>\n

Enclosed is our assessment of CMS’s compliance with the procedural steps required by section\u00a0801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact me at (202) 512-8156.<\/p>\n

\nShirley A. Jones
\nManaging Associate General Counsel<\/p>\n

Enclosure<\/p>\n

cc: Calvin E. Dukes II
\nRegulations Coordinator
\nDepartment of Health and Human Services<\/span><\/p>\n

ENCLOSURE<\/p>\n

REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 801(a)(2)(A) ON A MAJOR RULE
\nISSUED BY THE
\nDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
\nCENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
\nENTITLED
\n\u201cMEDICARE PROGRAM; STRENGTHENING OVERSIGHT OF
\nACCREDITING ORGANIZATIONS (AOS) AND PREVENTING AO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST,
\nAND RELATED PROVISIONS\u201d
\n(RIN: 0938-AU88)<\/p>\n

(i) Cost-benefit analysis<\/u><\/p>\n

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) prepared an analysis of the costs and benefits of this rule. 91 Fed. Reg. 36370, 36456\u2013\u200d61 (June 16, 2026). CMS estimated that the rule will result in annual costs of $2,607,552, and annual producer surpluses of up to $2,975,600. Id.<\/em> at 36460.<\/p>\n

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 603\u2013605, 607, and 609<\/u><\/p>\n

CMS determined that this rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and prepared a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36461\u2013\u200d62. CMS further stated that the Secretary of HHS certified that the rule will not have a significant impact on the operations of a substantial number of small rural hospitals. Id.<\/em> at 36462.<\/p>\n

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202\u2013205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1532\u20131535<\/u><\/p>\n

CMS determined that this rule will not have an effect on state, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or on the private sector, of $100 million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for inflation, in any one year. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36462.<\/p>\n

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders<\/u><\/p>\n

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 551 et seq.<\/em><\/p>\n

On February 15, 2024, CMS published a proposed rule. 89 Fed. Reg. 11996. CMS stated that they received comments from various interested parties. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36378. CMS responded to comments in this rule. See id.<\/em> CMS stated that it also made technical changes in this rule to some of the proposed and existing requirements to make the provisions more understandable, but CMS did not publish a proposed rule before making those changes. Id.<\/em> at 36462\u201363. CMS explained that such procedures are not required if an agency finds good cause that a notice-and-comment procedure is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest and incorporates a statement of the finding and its reasons in the rule issued. Id.<\/em> at 36463. CMS stated that because the changes were for purposes of greater clarity in the wording of the provisions and were not intended as new policy or additional requirements beyond what already exists in the regulations or what has been previously proposed with public comments received and addressed in this rule, CMS believes that a notice-and-comment procedure is both impracticable and unnecessary, and that it would be contrary to the public interest to delay this rule through such a procedure. Id. <\/em>at 36463.<\/p>\n

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 3501\u20133520<\/p>\n

CMS determined that this rule contains information collection requirements under the Act. 91\u00a0Fed. Reg. at 36446.<\/p>\n

Statutory authorization for the rule.<\/p>\n

CMS promulgated this rule pursuant to sections 1302 and 1395hh of title 42, United States Code.<\/p>\n

Executive Order No. 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)<\/p>\n

CMS stated that this rule is significant under the Order. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36456.<\/p>\n

Executive Order No. 13132 (Federalism)<\/p>\n

CMS determined that this rule does not have federalism implications. 91 Fed. Reg. at 36462.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Full Report<\/h2>\n
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GAO Contacts<\/h2>\n
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\t\t\tShirley A. Jones<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing Associate General Counsel<\/div>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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Office of the General Counsel<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

jonessa@gao.gov<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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Source: Reports on Major Rules<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: Reports on Major Rules<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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