CMS Renews Recognition for Accreditation Organization

WASHINGTON (March 27, 2018)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the continued recognition of the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP)’s home health accreditation for use by home health agencies to demonstrate compliance with the Medicare home health Conditions of Participation (CoP). The renewal of CHAP’s recognition is effective through March 31, 2024. The announcement is published in the Federal Register Vol.83, No. 57/Friday March 23 2018 pp. 12769-70.

CMS continued recognition allows home health agencies seeking initial or continued Medicare/Medicaid certification to use CHAP accreditation in lieu of the state survey. More than 2,000 home health agencies utilize CHAP accreditation for this purpose, and have received CMS deemed status post survey.

Earlier this year, CHAP announced the approval of the 2018 CHAP Standards of Excellence for Home Health Providers that incorporated the new CoPs requirements which took effect January 13, 2018. The new standards, included in the CHAP home health deeming application, place patient-centered care first, followed by standards addressing the care of patients at home and in the community.

Founded in 1965, CHAP is an independent, nonprofit organization accrediting providers of home and community-based care. As a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)–approved accrediting organization, CHAP surveys organizations providing home health, hospice and home medical equipment services to establish if Medicare Conditions of Participation and DMEPOS Quality Standards are met, and recommends certification to CMS.

Visit chapinc.org for more information.