Go beyond accreditation and elevate your hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality care, treatment, and services to all patient groups.
Statewide, hospitals and health systems are advancing strategies to ensure all patient groups receive high-quality care. 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 its Health Care Equity (HCE) Certification program for our Illinois in-network hospitals.
Through this offering, our in-network hospitals can earn financial reimbursement for achieving 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?
The voluntary certification program from Joint Commission 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?
The certification helps establish a framework for organizations to reduce barriers to high-quality care for all patients. Industry-leading standards guide hospitals in their work to 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 Joint Commission’s website.
- Contact certification@jointcommission.org for questions and guidance.
- Assess your organization’s readiness by visiting Joint Commission’s Certification Resource Center.
- 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 Quality Practice Advisor (QPA), Associate QPA, or Provider Relations representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
The voluntary certification program is 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.
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 care with dignity and respect for all individuals regardless of who they are and where they come from.
The certification is only available to hospitals, including designated Safety Net and Critical Access Hospitals. Meridian will provide partial reimbursement of associated fees to our in-network hospitals in Illinois.
Yes, there are two fees:
- An annual application fee (if a hospital applies mid-year, the application fee is prorated the first year; then the full fee is billed in January every subsequent year).
- An onsite survey fee billed after the onsite 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 the certification fees. This opportunity is limited to the first 10 applicants; future SNH and CAH applicants can receive a 25% reimbursement.
All other in-network hospitals are eligible for up to 15% reimbursement of fees associated with the certification.
Hospitals are eligible to request reimbursements for the annual and onsite survey fee:
- Annual application fee: Meridian will reimburse after the application and fee have been received by Joint Commission.
- The onsite survey fee: Meridian will reimburse after the onsite 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.
Joint Commission has a dedicated staff member to help each hospital with the process. Contact certification@jointcommission.org.
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 (onsite 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 the certification application with Joint Commission.
No, any Illinois Meridian in-network hospital meeting the conditions of participation (state licensure or other accreditor) may apply.