Accreditation Agency

What is an accreditation agency?

An accreditation agency is an entity that approves organizations as meeting set regulatory requirements and standards. Various organizations and government authorities, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, authorize agencies to evaluate healthcare organizations. 

The top three accreditation agencies in healthcare are 

  1. The Joint Commission (TJC) 

  1. National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 

  1. Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) 

Why are accreditation agencies important to healthcare?

Accreditation agencies are important because they encourage and recognize healthcare providers for delivering a high quality of care and performance. When accreditation agencies signify which healthcare organizations adhere to set guidelines, patients can make more informed healthcare decisions.