# Deemed status > Deemed status means CMS lets a provider pass an outside group's survey in place of a state survey. The group must be one CMS has approved. Source: https://incidentkit.ai/glossary/deemed-status ยท Updated Oct 5, 2026 Also known as: deeming, Medicare deemed status, accreditation in lieu of survey ## What it means CMS can approve outside groups that accredit (formally approve) providers. A provider that passes such a group's survey is treated as meeting Medicare rules (Social Security Act, section 1865). The group, not the State survey agency, then oversees it (State Operations Manual Chapter 2). 42 CFR 488.5 and 488.6 allow deemed status for these provider types: - Surgery centers - Hospitals - Critical access hospitals - Psychiatric hospitals - Home health agencies - Hospices - Nursing homes - Rural health clinics - Most transplant centers A few more types qualify too. Accreditation is voluntary, and only some groups have approved programs for some types. ## What CMS still checks State agencies run validation surveys of deemed providers, on a sample or after a serious complaint. If a survey finds a broad rule (a condition) not met, CMS may pull deemed status for a time. The provider then answers to the State agency until it shows substantial compliance. Accrediting groups must tell CMS within two business days of an immediate jeopardy, a serious and urgent danger (42 CFR 488.5). Example: a surgery center in AAAHC's Medicare Deemed Status program is surveyed by AAAHC, without warning, not by the State agency. It must still meet the [conditions for coverage](https://incidentkit.ai/glossary/conditions-for-coverage) in 42 CFR Part 416. Mix-up: accredited and deemed are not the same. Deemed status is CMS accepting an approved program's accreditation as proof of Medicare compliance. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does deemed status mean the state will never survey us? No. The State agency can run validation surveys and complaint checks. If accreditation ends for failed standards, a State survey is due within 45 calendar days of CMS's notice. ### Is accreditation required to participate in Medicare? No. The State Operations Manual says it is voluntary. A provider can use State agency surveys instead. Some states and payers have their own rules. ### Which accrediting organizations offer deemed status? Only groups with CMS-approved programs for a provider type. The list changes, so check CMS. Examples: the Joint Commission and AAAHC for surgery centers. ## Sources - [CMS State Operations Manual, Chapter 2: The Certification Process](https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107c02.pdf) - [42 CFR 488.1: Definitions (survey, certification and enforcement)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/section-488.1) - [42 CFR 488.5: Application and re-application procedures for accrediting organizations](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/section-488.5) - [AAAHC: Medicare Deemed Status accreditation](https://www.aaahc.org/accelerated-readiness/program-overview/medicare-deemed/) - [CMS: Conditions for Coverage (CfCs) and Conditions of Participation (CoPs)](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-safety-standards/conditions-coverage-participation) ## Related terms - [AAAHC](https://incidentkit.ai/glossary/aaahc) - [Joint Commission](https://incidentkit.ai/glossary/joint-commission) - [Conditions for coverage](https://incidentkit.ai/glossary/conditions-for-coverage) - [Deficiency](https://incidentkit.ai/glossary/deficiency) - [CMS-2567](https://incidentkit.ai/glossary/cms-2567) ## Related - [AAAHC accreditation: surveys, deemed status and QI studies](https://incidentkit.ai/compliance/accreditation/aaahc) - [Joint Commission accreditation: surveys and sentinel events](https://incidentkit.ai/compliance/accreditation/joint-commission) - [DNV hospital and ASC accreditation: CMS status and surveys](https://incidentkit.ai/compliance/accreditation/dnv) - [ACHC accreditation: deemed status, surveys and standards](https://incidentkit.ai/compliance/accreditation/achc) - [AAAHC vs Joint Commission for ASCs: how they compare](https://incidentkit.ai/blog/aaahc-vs-joint-commission-for-ascs) - [Survey and accreditation readiness: a continuous approach](https://incidentkit.ai/guides/survey-and-accreditation-readiness)