HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has earned Joint Commission full accreditation through November 2019 following a weeklong survey visit last November. The Medical Center earned accreditation for the hospital and its behavioral health care program. The hospital accreditation covers outpatient and off-site practices, as well as Penn State Children’s Hospital.

An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

Joint Commission accreditation also is the mechanism through which the organization receives reimbursement from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for care provided to patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid.