Licensure issuance; recognized accrediting organization; investigation; survey; effect

Sec. 13. (a) The state health commissioner: (1) may: (A) issue a license upon the application of a hospital that is not accredited by a recognized accrediting organization without further evidence; or (B) request additional information concerning the application of a hospital that is not accredited by a recognized accrediting organization and conduct an investigation to determine whether a license should be granted; and (2) shall issue a license upon the application of a hospital that has received accreditation by a recognized accrediting organization for the period the recognized accrediting organization has been granted accreditation without the state department conducting an annual survey. (b) The state department may investigate a complaint against an accredited hospital described in subsection (a)(2) for substantial noncompliance, as determined by the state department, with state law or rules. Nothing in this section prohibits the state health commissioner from taking action against a hospital under IC 16-21-3 for substantial noncompliance with state law or rules. (c) If a hospital is not accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, the state department shall conduct an annual survey of the hospital. (d) When requested by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the state department shall conduct random validation surveys on behalf of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (e) A hospital shall provide a copy of the survey report and certificate of accreditation from a recognized accrediting organization to the state health commissioner not more than ten (10) days after receipt of the survey or accreditation. (f) Subsections (a) through (e) do not affect the state department's performance of an initial survey of a hospital obtaining an initial license under this article.