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 was granted “deeming authority” by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 1992 for home health and in 1999, for hospice. This means that instead of state surveys, CHAP has regulatory authorization to survey agencies providing home health and hospice services, to determine whether they meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation (COPs).  In 2006, CMS granted CHAP full deeming authority for Home Medical Equipment (HME).  

Purpose

To objectively validate the excellence of community health care practice through consistent measurement of the delivery of quality services

• To motivate providers to achieve continuous improvement by adhering to standards of excellence
• To assist the public in the selection of community health services and providers with demonstrated excellence
• To lead by example through organizational excellence and quality performance