Go beyond basic accreditation for healthcare equity in all aspects of care, treatment, and service delivery.
Statewide, hospitals and health systems are advancing strategies to make healthcare more equitable. Meridian is dedicated to supporting these strategies in alignment with our goal to eliminate health disparities.
Recognizing that collaboration with our providers is key, we're privileged to be the first Medicaid health plan in the country to collaborate with The Joint Commission on their Health Care Equity (HCE) Certification program for our Illinois in-network hospitals.
Through this offering, our in-network hospitals can earn financial reimbursement for obtaining HCE Certification.
New in 2025, designated Safety Net and Critical Access Hospitals are eligible to receive full reimbursement of fees associated with certification.
“We’re thrilled to be the first Medicaid health plan in the country to leverage The Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification to advance our mission to transform the health of the community, one person at a time. Together, we will work to ensure our providers have the right resources and supports to deliver high quality and equitable care with dignity and respect for all people we collectively serve.”
- Cristal Gary, Meridian Plan President and CEO
The Joint Commission Health Care Equity Certification in Brief
What is it?
This voluntary Joint Commission’s HCE Certification program is designed to recognize organizations that go beyond the basic accreditation requirement and seek to formalize structures, processes, and goals for identifying and addressing health disparities.
Who can apply?
Meridian in-network Illinois hospitals eligible for HCE Certification.
Why apply?
HCE Certification helps establish a framework for healthcare equity through industry-leading standards. These standards are proven to help close gaps in access and quality among patient groups where disparities are frequent.
What to expect
The certification process consists of three phases.
- Learn more about the HCE Certification on The Joint Commission’s website.
- Contact certification@jointcommission.org for questions and guidance.
- Assess your organization’s readiness with the Health Care Equity Certification Review Process Guide.
- Complete the application.
- Participate in the onsite survey review.
- Promote your achievement and share your success.
Contacts
- To apply or ask questions, contact certification@jointcommission.org.
- To request reimbursement from Meridian, contact your Provider Relations representative.
- Don’t know your assigned representative? Complete our intake form and a representative will be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Joint Commission’s HCE Certification program is a voluntary program designed to recognize hospitals that go beyond the basic accreditation requirement and seek to formalize structures, processes, and goals for identifying and addressing health disparities.
The HCE Certification will help Illinois in-network hospitals stand out among
payors, government agencies, and employers across the communities they serve.
As part of Meridian’s mission to transform the health of the community, one person at a time, we want to ensure our providers have the right resources and support to provide the highest quality of care with dignity and respect for all individuals regardless of who they are and where they come from.
The HCE Certification is only available to hospitals. Meridian will provide partial reimbursement of associated fees to our in-network hospitals in Illinois.
No, any Illinois Meridian in-network hospital meeting the conditions of participation (state licensure or other accreditor) may apply.
The Joint Commission has a dedicated staff member to help each hospital with the process. Contact certification@jointcommission.org.
Yes, there are two fees:
- An annual application fee (if a hospital applies mid-year, the application fee is prorated the first year, then billed in January every subsequent year)
- An on-site survey fee billed after the on-site survey visit, which occurs within 12 months after applying and every two years thereafter.
Designated safety net hospitals (SNH) and critical access hospitals (CAH) may be eligible to receive 100% reimbursement of HCE Certification fees. This opportunity is limited to the first 10 applicants; future SNH and CAH applicants can receive 25% reimbursement.
All other in-network hospitals and are eligible for up to 15% reimbursement of fees associated with HCE Certification.
Hospitals are eligible to request reimbursements for the annual and on-site survey fee:
- Annual application fee: Meridian will reimburse after the application and fee have been received by The Joint Commission.
- The onsite survey fee: Meridian will reimburse this fee after the on-site survey is complete (within 12 months of the application date) and the hospital attains certification.
- Hospitals assessed a prorated annual fee due to the timing of their application may be eligible to request partial reimbursement for the following year’s annual fee if they obtain certification.
Meridian is offering the HCE Certification incentive to their hospital partners to reinforce our commitment to providing the highest quality care among all patient groups as a step toward reducing healthcare disparities.
Hospitals must reach out to their Meridian Provider Relations representative to request reimbursement after: (1) submitting the application and paying the annual fee, and (2) after successfully completing the certification process (on-site survey).
Our incentive program will run from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
Hospitals are encouraged, but are not required, to submit certification receipts. Meridian will verify HCE Certification application with The Joint Commission.
For more information, visit The Joint Commission’s website. Those interested in applying can contact certification@jointcommission.org.