Joint Commission offers new medical home certification

The Joint Commission is offering a new primary care medical home (PCMH) certification option for accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals. Surveys will begin this month, and they can be conducted concurrent with regular on-site accreditation or separately. "The PCMH certification option is designed for hospitals and critical access hospitals that have ambulatory care services that include the provision of primary care services offered by a primary care clinician," TJC states. The new option also offers the opportunity for increased reimbursement from third-party payers when the additional PCMH requirements are met and certification is awarded. Announcement