The Joint Commission (or TJC for short) is the second-most popular certification for addiction treatment providers and facilities in the United States for good reason. Most addiction treatment centers do not actually seek this certification, but the ones that do reap the benefits of rock-solid recognition of evidence-based, patient-centered, trauma-informed, all-around best-practices care.  TJC certification not only raises your organization’s profile within the behavioral health community, in many states it also makes your organization eligible for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. 

Throughout the United States, over 22,000 health care organizations hold Joint Commission accreditations. 

In this post, we will answer some of the most common questions we hear from our behavioral healthcare clients about Joint Commission accreditation.

Which addiction treatment organizations and providers need Joint Commission certification and which ones don’t?

There’s a few things that determine whether your organization is a good candidate for a Joint Commission certification or not. 

The first step in determining if Joint Commission accreditation is right for your organization is to consider simple program eligibility. In order to qualify for a Joint Commission accreditation, you must meet an array of criteria determined and monitored by the healthcare professionals on the Joint Commission staff. In general, there are quite a few different behavioral healthcare organizations that, in theory, could apply. These include MAT facilities, crisis programs. IOP, PHP, group homes, in-home behavioral health services, OTPs and methadone centers, behavioral health camps and outdoor education programs, residential treatment programs, peer support and community-based programs, as well as telehealth addiction treatment programs. 

If your behavioral healthcare facility intends on collecting Medicaid or Medicare reimbursements, many states require Joint Commission certification in order to participate in public health care networks. There are 24 “conditions of participation,” or CoPs, that behavioral health organizations must meet in order to qualify for federally funded health care reimbursements. The Joint Commission accreditation ensures that all 24 are met. 

Finally, if your organization does not intend to integrate trauma-informed practices into its standard of care, then Joint Commission accreditation may not be indicated. Unlike CARF, the Joint Commission requires accredited entities to maintain a trauma-informed approach to behavioral healthcare. 

What is the controversy around the Joint Commission that is sometimes mentioned in the behavioral healthcare community? Was TJC complicit in the opioid crisis?

There is a popular talking point within the healthcare community - and the behavioral healthcare community in particular - that TJC was complicit in promoting opioid over-prescription during the opioid crisis. Is there any merit to these claims?

Although some states, did, in fact, try to sue the Joint Commission for their alleged part in the opioid crisis, these suits were ultimately not successful. The accusation among those who do hold the Joint Commission responsible for opioid overprescription is that TJC mandated that pain be the 5th vital sign. This is the familiar part of the office visit where your doctor routinely asks you to rate your pain on a scale of 1-10. This norm, for some, is connected to incentivizing or encouraging doctors to reduce pain as one of their primary goals, which, in turn, is connected by some to the over-exuberant use of opioids at the height of the opioid crisis. 

You can read more about this controversy here. 

How much does a Joint Commission accreditation for addiction treatment cost?

Pricing information on TJC’s official website is incredibly opaque, so it’s not surprising that many of our clients have this question. 

In short, according to TJC, the average accreditation cost per facility per year is $46,000, not including “extra” costs like travel and other incidental expenses. 

However, TJC accredits many large hospitals and other sprawling organizations that are often much larger in scope than the average behavioral healthcare or addiction treatment facility. 

For example, “small hospitals” - again, hospitals, not addiction treatment centers specifically - usually run about $26,000 while “large hospitals” can clock in around $130,000. In addition to upfront accreditation costs, there are annual TJC fees. These are usually more than $2,000 but rarely more than $10,000 per year.   

How long does a Joint Commission accreditation for behavioral health and addiction treatment take?

The Joint Commission’s accreditation process is not quick.

First, you’ll need to allow at least 12 months for the application period. During this time, you’ll prepare for the site visit, also sometimes called the physical plant inspection. 

Next, you’ll need to complete a site visit where a Joint Commission staff member will audit patient records, conduct interviews, and physically inspect the facility for any compliance issues. 

After the site visit, you’ll wait another two to eight weeks to receive TJC’s decision. 

Once you’ve been awarded a TJC accreditation, it’s good for three years. 

It can be useful to note that TJC’s rules for behavioral health facilities are somewhat more lenient than they are for other types of healthcare organizations. For behavioral health organizations, there is no four month’s worth of compliance required before the survey can take place. There is also more notice: behavioral health care organizations receive a notice 30 days prior to their initial survey date, leaving addiction treatment organizations with more time to prepare in advance than other healthcare orgs. 

What other certifications should my addiction treatment center or behavioral health organization consider when applying for TJC accreditation?

If you’re already apply for a Joint Commission accreditation, then it’s likely that your organization may also be interested in CARF certification. 

Although many healthcare organizations often pursue a DNV - or Det Norske Veritas - accreditation in addition to a TJC accreditation, DNV does not typically serve addiction treatment centers or other behavioral healthcare facilities. DNV’s focus is primarily on non-behavioral health hospitals and entities. 

Other posts about certification, endorsements, and accreditation for addiction treatment centers and behavioral healthcare 

How and Why to Get CARF and Joint Commission Accreditation for Your Addiction Treatment Center

How to Get an Addiction Treatment or Behavioral Health Center Licensed in Your State—Part 1

How to Get an Addiction Treatment Center Licensed in Your State—PART 2

Joint Commission accreditation is worth - and we can help get you there 

Yes, JTC accreditation is a tough process, but it’s worth it. The increase in referrals and intakes alone usually makes the process worthwhile for most behavioral health organizations.    

Need help getting organized ahead of an accreditation survey?

Want assistance collecting outcomes data or meeting documentation requirements?

Need hands-on support for accreditation?

Let Behave360’s consulting services and Behave Health’s all-in-one software tame the chaos at your organization. Sign up for startup consulting and see why so many addiction treatment centers trust Behave Health to help with all the vital details of launching and maintaining a behavioral health organization.