CMS Grants CHAP Continued Home Health Deeming Authority for Six Years
Mar 23, 2012
Washington, DC – Today, Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) announced continued approval of its home health accreditation program by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a six year term. This deeming authority, granted by CMS, recognizes CHAP’s program as a national accreditation program for home health agencies (HHAs) seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
CHAP was originally granted deeming authority by the CMS in 1992 for home health. This means that instead of state surveys, CHAP has regulatory authorization to survey agencies providing home health services, to determine whether they meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation (COPs).
The notice, published in today’s Federal Register, states, “This notice announces our decision to approve the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) for recognition as a national accreditation program for home health agencies (HHAs) seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.” The final notice is effective March 31, 2012 through March 31, 2018.
“We’re excited to again be recognized by CMS as an approved accreditation organization for community-based providers delivering home health care who participate in the Medicare program,” stated Terry Duncombe, CHAP President & CEO. “These organizations who achieve CHAP accreditation with deemed status can continue to take pride in meeting or exceeding the highest national standards for home health care.”
In addition to home health deeming authority, CMS granted CHAP deeming authority for hospice in 1999, and in 2006 CMS granted CHAP full deeming authority for Home Medical Equipment (HME).
The Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc. (CHAP) is an independent, non-profit accrediting body. It was the first accrediting body for community-based health care organizations in the United States and was created in 1965 as a joint venture between the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the National League for Nursing (NLN). These organizations brought to fruition the futuristic view that accreditation was the needed mechanism for recognizing excellence in community health practice. In 1988, CHAP became a separately incorporated, non-profit subsidiary of the NLN under the CHAP name. In 2001, it was spun-off by the NLN and became an independent, non-profit corporation. CHAP’s purpose is to define and advance the highest standards of community-based care.
For more information on today’s Federal Register notice, visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/getfrtoc.action.
For more information on CHAP and its accreditation programs, visit http://www.chapinc.org or contact Michael Grogan, Vice President of Business Development, at mgrogan@chapinc.org or 202.862.3413.