CMS Strengthens Oversight Of Accrediting Organizations, Prohibits Mock Surveys Before Accreditation Reviews

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will increase its oversight of CMS-approved accrediting organizations under new regulations scheduled to take effect on June 16, 2027. In a key change, accrediting organizations will no longer be permitted to conduct mock surveys for the health care organizations they accredit.

The regulations are part of a final rule issued on June 16, 2026, that includes provisions to address conflicts of interest, establish consistent standards, processes, and definitions, and update CMS validation and performance oversight systems.

The ban on mock surveys applies during the period before an initial accreditation survey and . . .