ACHC Updating Ambulatory Surgery Center Standards

Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) Standards are being updated in 2022 for Ambulatory Surgery Center Accreditation. In addition to regular program updates, revisions will also incorporate new COVID-19 vaccination requirements mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

CMS Vaccination Mandate

A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 13, 2022, lifted injunctions that had blocked enforcement of the mandate in 24 states. The decision expands enforcement nationwide for certain healthcare workers at most organizations that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

In accordance with updated guidance from CMS, ACHC will begin surveying against CMS vaccination requirements on the following dates:

• January 27, 2022, for affected organizations subject to the mandate in states not covered by the previous injunctions.
• February 14, 2022, for affected organizations in states that had contested the mandate, with the exception of Texas.
• February 22, 2022, for affected organizations in Texas.

ACHC is adding a new ambulatory surgery center standard to align with CMS COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Click below for details. CMS approval is pending.

Additional Standards Updates

For ACHC Ambulatory Surgery Center Standards updates not related to the mandate, the anticipated effective date will be June 1, 2022, or later, based on the date of CMS approval. A prepublication link to a detailed crosswalk of changes will be emailed to you.

Here to Help

If you have questions or need more information, please contact your Account Advisor, email customerservice@achc.org, or call (855) 937-2242.

Join Our Growing Surveyor Team

We're excited to be growing! We are looking for physicians and nurses in leadership positions who are interested in becoming Ambulatory Surgery Center Contract Surveyors.  If you are interested in learning about the eligibility requirements and Surveyor responsibilities, please contact Marci Ramahi at mramahi@achc.org.

Want to learn more about ACHC Ambulatory Surgery Center Accreditation?

✔️ Sign up for our Ambulatory Surgery Center e-newsletter.

✔️ Visit our Ambulatory Surgery Center program webpage.

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