The Joint Commission announces it has achieved initial deeming authority from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for home infusion therapy, effective Dec. 15, 2019 to Dec. 15, 2023. The Joint Commission is the first CMS-approved accrediting organization (AO) to successfully achieve deeming authority for home infusion therapy suppliers.
Any home infusion therapy supplier that wishes to obtain Medicare reimbursement for the nursing component of that service must be accredited by an AO that has been awarded deeming authority for home infusion therapy from CMS by Jan. 1, 2021.
There is no state survey option for home infusion therapy suppliers—accreditation will be the only means of satisfying the reimbursement requirement. If organizations are not accredited by an AO, they will not be able to apply for or receive reimbursement from CMS for the nursing component of the home infusion therapy service.
Organizations that achieve or maintain existing Joint Commission Home Care Accreditation for home infusion therapy services by Jan. 1, 2021 will not need to complete a new onsite survey. However, all other organizations must participate in an unannounced onsite survey and achieve a decision of “Accredited” prior to obtaining Medicare reimbursement.
The Joint Commission’s existing home care standards and elements of performance (EPs) will remain in effect with two new “Provision of Care, Treatment, and Services” EPs specific to home infusion therapy:
- PC.02.01.03, EP 2: The patient plan of care if established and periodically reviewed by a physician and includes the medication(s) route, dose, frequency and duration for home infusion.
- PC.02.02.05, EP 7: The organization provides the patient with access to professional services, including nursing services, patient education and training, and remote monitoring services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
