Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003
The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 requires
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to
institute quality standards, accreditation is an
integral part of these quality standards. Home care
agencies accredited by CHAP. JCAHO or ACHC would
not be subject to routine inspection by Medicare
state survey agencies to determine their compliance
with federal requirements. They would still be subject
to validation and compliant investigation surveys
by state agencies.
In our opinion, the best reason to attain Medicare,
Medicaid or Private pay accreditation is that your
organization will be subject to an objective evaluation
against national standards of what you are doing
right and what you need to improve, It is a way
for Home Health Care Agencies to be seen as the
provider of excellent health care. It provides Community
confidence in your facility increases when you meet
the national standards set forth by health care
professionals as well as legitimate in the eyes
of legislators. But there are other reasons as well.
"It helps control fraud and abuse.
There are several organizations that offer
accreditation to Home health care agencies.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO), Oakbrook Terrace, Ill,
is the largest and oldest. It has been in business
for more than 50 years and is known for hospital
accreditation. They have been in business for
15 years.
It is followed in age by the Community Health
Accreditation Program (CHAP), New York, The oldest
home care accrediting body is the Community Health
Accreditation Program, Inc. (CHAP). It was established
as a joint venture between the American Public
Health Association and the National League for
Nursing (NLN). The founders decided that it would
function as part of the NLN. CHAP began accrediting
home health agencies in 1965 and has continued
to do so since then. In 1987, it became a subsidiary
of NLN, separately incorporated with the new CHAP
name. Over time, the NLN and CHAP organizations
evolved to have differing missions and goals.
In consequence of their changing needs, in 2001
CHAP became a totally separate nonprofit corporation.
Finally, the Accreditation Commission for Health
Care Inc (ACHC), Raleigh, NC, was formed in '86.
Average Costs
Costs average about $9,300 for JCAHO accreditation
and $5,000 for CHAP accreditation, and preparation
for accreditation from either organization can
take anywhere from seven months to up to a year.
Each of the three accrediting organizations have
their own standards and that can a number into
the hundreds and meeting them requires a dedicated
staff of knowledgeable professionals.
Requirements
The accreditation process requires an organization
to undertake a comprehensive self examination
of all aspects of the business. This is accomplished
through a self study which serves as a detailed
check list for compliance with the standards.
Home Health Care Agencies that wish to attain
accreditation must be willing to change and strive
to reach the next level with their practices of
providing health care. The main change is in the
area of business operations and health care documentation.
To all Business owners, managers, and employees,
accreditation is a team effort requiring everyone
to take the necessary steps to implement all the
elements required to obtain accreditation. Accreditation
is a decision that must come from top administration.
Must be able to provide coaching and leadership
skills for their employees in an atmosphere totally
dedicated to excellence in patient health care.
Licensure and Accreditation Resources
American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare)
State Leaders Council, Alexandria, Va
(703) 535-1894
www.aahomecare.org
Community Health Accreditation Program Inc (CHAP),
New York City
(800) 656-9656
www.chapinc.org
Accreditation Commission for Health Care Inc (ACHC)
Raleigh, NC
(919) 785-1214
www.achc.org
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO)
Oakbrook, IL,
(630) 792-5000,
www.jcaho.org
AHCA Agency of Healthcare Administration
2727 Mahan Drive,
Tallahassee, FL 32308
From start to Finish
Our highly trained and dedicated team will work
directly with you and your employees through the
entire accreditation process, from start to finish
and beyond.
The accreditation process can be difficult if
navigated alone; however, with our professional
guidance and experience, all of our clients have
become accredited!
Are you ready for an unannounced survey? We don't
just come in, tell you what to do, then leave.
We will hold your hand and go the distance so
that you are continuously ready for your accreditation
survey. The Continuous Survey Readiness (CSR)
Program helps health care organizations focus
on improvement while maintaining a state of readiness
for a Medicare accreditation, Medicaid Accreditation
or Private Pay Accreditation survey. We have had
the privilege of helping hundreds of home health
care agencies. Our staff includes a mix of healthcare
professionals with over thirty years of home health
care agency management experience. This includes
former Medicare Accreditation Site Surveyors who
are all Masters prepared Registered Nurses in
home health care.
www.1staccreditation.com
We invite you to explore our Web site (www.1staccreditation.com)
) to learn more about our accreditation services
and success. For more information about how we
can help your health care organization earn accreditation
from the Community Health Accreditation Company
(CHAP), the Joint Commission (JCAHO), Accreditation
Commission for Health Care Inc, (ACHC), Medicare
or other federal or state regulatory agency, please
call us toll-free at 1-888-850-6932 We are based
in Southwest Florida and Sugarland, Texas and
can assist health care organizations throughout
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