Final answer:
A hospital participating in Medicare and Medicaid must follow Conditions of Participation, which are federal health and safety standards set to ensure quality patient care across all types of hospitals, including nonprofits, private hospitals, and governmental agencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
A hospital that participates in the Medicare and Medicaid programs must follow Conditions of Participation (CoPs). These are health and safety standards that are the foundation for improving quality and protecting the health and safety of beneficiaries. Hospitals, whether they are nonprofit health organizations, private hospitals, or governmental agencies like Health and Social Services, must adhere to these CoPs to maintain their Medicare and Medicaid provider agreement.
CoPs are detailed in federal regulations and dictate the terms and conditions that state governments must meet to qualify for federal financial assistance in healthcare policy areas. These standardized requirements ensure that patients receive a baseline level of care, regardless of the setting or location of the healthcare service.
On the other hand, Deemed status is a designation that allows hospitals to achieve Medicare certification through accreditation by a recognized private accrediting organization without undergoing a separate Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) survey. Achieving Deemed status indicates that the CoPs have been met through the private accreditation process.