Guidance for Accrediting Organizations related to Survey Activities for Existing Medicare-Participating Providers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been transitioning certain certification enrollment administrative functions performed by the CMS SOG Locations (formerly CMS Regional Offices) to CMS’s Center for Program Integrity (CPI) and its Provider Enrollment Oversight Group (PEOG) and to the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). • As a result of these transition activities, we have determined that some existing processes, which only apply to those AO programs that have been granted deeming authority by CMS, would also benefit from being aligned with the transition and streamlining. • CMS is providing updated guidance and procedures related to: o Initial AO Surveys for existing Medicare-certified providers and suppliers o Removal or Withdrawal of Deeming Status o Copying the State Agency (SA) on reaccreditation surveys • The guidance within this memorandum supersedes any previous instructions provided to the AOs in the AO Resource Manual.