The Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) is a national, independent,
U.S. not-for-profit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
accrediting body for community-based health care organizations. CHAP is the oldest national, community-based accrediting body with more than 9,000 agencies currently accredited nationwide.
History
In 1965, CHAP was the first to recognize the need and value for accreditation in community-based care. The organization was created as a joint venture between the
American Public Health Association and the
National League for Nursing
The National League for Nursing (NLN) is a national organization for faculty nurses and leaders in nurse education. It offers faculty development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiativ ...
(NLN). CHAP became a separately incorporated, non-profit subsidiary of the NLN in 1988, under the CHAP name.
In 1992, CHAP was granted deeming authority for
home care Homecare (also spelled as home care) is health care or supportive care provided by a professional caregiver in the individual home where the patient or client is living, as opposed to care provided in group accommodations like clinics or nursing ho ...
by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In 1999 it received deeming authority for
hospices. CHAP has the regulatory authority to survey agencies providing home health, hospice, and home medical equipment services, to determine if they meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation and CMS Quality Standards.
Through "deeming authority" granted by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in 1992, CHAP has the regulatory authority to survey agencies providing home health, hospice, and