Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions

Document 2026-12069 is a Final Rule published by the Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register on June 16, 2026, with an effective date of June 16, 2027. This final rule with comment period sets forth provisions to strengthen the oversight of Medicare national accrediting organizations by addressing conflicts of interest, establishing consistent standards, processes, and definitions, and updating the validation and performance standards systems. Additionally, this final rule with comment period revises the psychiatric hospital survey process, adds a limitation on terminated deemed providers and suppliers when reentering the program, and provides technical corrections for End-Stage Renal Disease facilities and Transplant Programs. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/16/2026-12069/medicare-program-strengthening-oversight-of-accrediting-organizations-aos-and-preventing-ao.

No. Document 2026-12069 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.