The accreditation or PCMH survey process will vary depending on the type of recognition/accreditation and organization selected.
Prepare for a Survey
Health centers should anticipate spending 9 to 12 months to plan and prepare for initial or renewal accreditation, recognition, or both. More information about the requirements for different accreditation and recognition organizations is found below.
HRSA encourages health centers to:
- Review resources provided by AAAHC
, TJC , and NCQA to assess their readiness to participate and help ensure positive survey outcomes. These organizations developed technical assistance and training resources that focus on strategies for obtaining and maintaining accreditation and/or PCMH recognition status. - Utilize the technical assistance resources of their State/Regional Primary Care Associations (PCAs) to support preparation for accreditation site visits or PCMH recognition surveys. Health centers can request a practice facilitation coach from their PCA for assistance.
Types of Surveys
NCQA PCMH Recognition Surveys
Health centers seeking PCMH recognition through NCQA may apply for:
- Initial recognition surveys cover individual health center sites that are seeking recognition for the first time.
- Renewal surveys cover individual sites that seek to maintain their PCMH recognition status. NCQA awards PCMH recognition for a period of 3 years.
- Add-On Surveys to Increase Recognition Level: There are three levels of NCQA PCMH recognition—Level I, II, or III. An already-recognized health center may apply to increase its level of PCMH recognition through the add-on survey process.
Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation
Health centers may apply for on-site initial, re-accreditation, or add-on accreditation.
- Initial accreditation surveys cover health centers that have not been accredited under the initiative.
- Re-accreditation cover health centers that seek to maintain their accreditation status. AAAHC or TJC awards accreditation for a period of 3 years; health centers can maintain their accreditation status through the re-accreditation process.
- Add-on Surveys cover already accredited health centers seeking to add an additional type of survey (e.g., laboratory, behavioral health, or PCHM option).
Accreditation includes:
- Ambulatory health care services.
- Behavioral health services (except for SAMHSA-supported OTPs).
- Laboratory services that are moderate or high complexity and required by CMS and CLIA.
- Add-On (Adjunct) surveys to expand clinical services requiring an extension survey.
- PCMH Option: Eligible health centers may elect to receive PCMH recognition for the entire health center organization. Health centers may seek the PCMH option at the same time as their ambulatory care accreditation survey or; an already accredited health center may add the PCMH option by submitting a new NOI to HRSA in the same manner as an initial survey; see Notice of Intent.
