Journal Article Excerpt

Proposed "Deemed Status" for CHAP and JCAHO
In September 1991, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) proposed
regulations that would recognize deemed status to the Community Health Accredi­
tation Program (CHAP), a subsidiary of the National League for Nursing. CHAP
had become the first consumer-oriented accrediting body in the nation to be pro­
posed for deemed status by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Deemed status would grant CHAP the authority to certify home health agencies for
participation in the Medicare program.

On February 3, 1992, HCFA published a proposed rule granting deemed status to
the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO). Home
health agencies accredited by JCAHO would be "deemed" to meet the Medicare
conditions of participation.

Home care agencies accredited by CHAP or JCAHO 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.

Both the JCAHO and the National League for Nursing Accreditation programs
were proposed to be approved for deemed status in 1987. Finalization of the
deemed status was held up due to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
which mandated changes in survey and certification.