CMS grants CHAP continued authority

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 26, 2012—Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) announces continued approval of its hospice accreditation program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a six-year term. This deeming authority recognizes CHAP’s program as a national accreditation program for hospice organizations seeking to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

CHAP was originally granted deeming authority by the CMS in 1999 for hospice. This means that instead of state surveys, CHAP has the regulatory authorization to directly survey agencies providing hospice services, to determine whether they meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation (COPs). The notice, published in October 19th’s Federal Register, states, “This notice announces our decision to approve the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for hospices that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.” The final notice is effective November 20, 2012 through November 20, 2018.

“We’re excited to again be recognized by CMS as an approved accreditation organization for community-based providers delivering hospice care who participate in the Medicare program,” according to Terry Duncombe, CHAP president and CEO. “These organizations who achieve CHAP accreditation with deemed status can continue to take pride in meeting or exceeding the highest national standards for hospice care.”

In addition to hospice deeming authority, CMS in March 2012 granted CHAP continued deeming authority for home health for six years, and in 2006 CMS granted CHAP full deeming authority for Home Medical Equipment (HME) for all DMEPOS products and services.

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 the Federal Register notice click here. For more information on CHAP and its accreditation programs visit www.chapinc.org or contact Michael Grogan, senior vice president of business development, at [email protected] or 202-862-3413.