Adena Health, a hospital system in Chillicothe, has been denied accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in credentialing. This is a rare occurrence as only three other hospitals in the country have been denied this type of credentialing. NCQA is a non-profit organization that is considered a top healthcare accreditation organization. The organization evaluates clinicians and practices that use teamwork and technology to deliver coordinated and patient-centered primary care.
According to NCQA’s website, accreditation means that an organization meets or exceeds standards. However, Adena Health did not meet these standards and has been denied accreditation. To meet these standards, an organization must meet a list of requirements, including best practices and high-quality care.
Despite the denial, Adena Health has appealed the decision and is working to address the issue. A spokesman for Adena stated that they have a long history with NCQA and continue to work to meet changing requirements. While this decision has not impacted their ability to credential, they remain confident in their credentialing standards.
In addition to the accreditation issue, Adena is also facing a lawsuit in federal court. Allegations have been made that Adena knowingly submitted false and fraudulent claims for payment to Medicaid and other government reimbursement programs. There are also allegations that some cardiologists at Adena performed heart valve procedures without the proper credentials, which the organization has denied.
