Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc. (CHAP, Inc.) Announces CARES
Computer-based Accreditation Review System

WASHINGTON, DC — 2 January, 2008 — Today CHAP, Inc. (Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc.) announced the production launch of its CARES – Computer-based Accreditation Review System, a customized software application consisting of a web-based portal and synchronized stand-alone application to facilitate quality and more efficient reporting of accreditation activities and actions of contracted organizations. The initial beta test site visits were conducted during April and May 2007 and successfully concluded in December 2007.
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New Web site Deployed

WASHINGTON, DC — 2 January, 2008 — Today CHAP, Inc. (Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc.) released an update to CHAPINC.org, its primary Web site. The new site includes enhanced navigation, additional instruction on the CHAP accreditation process, a new dynamic engine enabling users to better search for CHAP accredited agencies, and information on the new CHAP CARES application. Check back soon for additional releases of the site to include an enhanced application process and service specific portals.

CMS Announces Accreditation Deadline for All DMEPOS Suppliers

On December 19, 2007 during a Special Open Door Forum on Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS), Accreditation Deadlines were announced. The deadline by which all DMEPOS suppliers who have a current Medicare Provider number will need to be accredited is September 30, 2009. This mandatory accreditation applies to any Provider who currently bills Medicare for supplies and products under Medicare Part B through any of the DME Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) aka DME MAC.

The deadline by which new suppliers must apply to the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) for a supplier number in order to qualify for a special accreditation grace period and the deadline by which new DMEPOS suppliers who qualified for the accreditation grace period will need to be accredited will be announced in the very near future.

CHAP is a deemed accrediting organization by CMS for all DMEPOS categories. For information on CHAP Accreditation Services, please contact Gwen Franzgrote @ 202.862.3413 ext 21 or gfranzgrote@chapinc.org

To apply for CHAP HME Accreditation, please click here.

Note: An audio recording of this special forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum Web site at:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp

and will be accessible for downloading beginning December 27, 2007.

For any information on DMEPOS accreditation facts go to:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/dme.asp