The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule on June 12, 2026, intended to improve healthcare quality and patient safety through enhanced oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AO). The Strengthening Oversight of AO and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest Final Rule ensures that the organizations responsible for the oversight of more than 9,000 healthcare providers and suppliers use Medicare standards, and creates greater consistency between State Survey Agencies (SAs) and AOs in their respective survey processes. Home health and hospice agencies can be accredited by these organizations, however skilled nursing facilities may not.

In 2024, LeadingAge submitted comments on the proposed rule, supporting a number of proposals but stressing that some proposals may restrict AOs from providing beneficial education and support to improve long-term compliance. Overall, the rule seeks to prevent conflicts of interest, ensure alignment between AOs and other surveyors, improve AO performance, and ensure AOs remain independent reviewers.

LeadingAge will have further analysis on the rule and the impacts to home health and hospice agencies in the coming week.