TUV

In the Federal Register of Friday, January 27, 2006, a notice appeared entitled "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Application by the TUV Healthcare Specialists for Deeming Authority for Hospitals." www.cms.hhs.gov/quarterlyproviderupdates/downloads/cms2228pn.pdf
What this means is that, if approved by the CMS, TUV could become an alternative to the JCAHO for accreditation of hospitals.

The document states that, "All comments received before the close of the comment period are available for viewing by the public, including any personally identifiable or confidential business information that is included in a comment. We post all comments received before the close of the comment period on the following Web site as soon as possible after they have been received: www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/eRulemaking. Click on the link ‘‘Electronic Comments on CMS Regulations’’ on that Web site to view public comments."

The CMS has 210 days after receipt of a complete application to issue a final decision. The date of receipt of application is not clear, but it was within 60 days preceding Jan. 20, 2006.

More information can be found at tuvam.com/tuvnews/hotnews/pressdetail.cfm?id=884