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Why Your Accreditation End Date Matters

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October 7, 2024

Achieving accreditation is regarded as one of the key benchmarks for measuring the quality of an organization. Once initial accreditation is achieved, it is not permanent and must be maintained and renewed to ensure continued compliance. ACHC Accreditation is valid for a 36-month time period but preparation for renewal should begin at least nine months before the expiration date. Resources are available to help you prepare.

Your Renewal Timeline

Maintaining continuous compliance with ACHC Standards is expected throughout your term of accreditation and serves to simplify preparation for renewal but deliberate planning for reaccreditation honors the effort that your team put into the achievement by preventing a potential lapse in accreditation.

Approximately 12 months before your organization’s accreditation expires, ACHC will notify you about the renewal process. Six to nine months before your expiration date, you should complete your renewal application and prepare your organization for the reaccreditation survey.

Steps to Take

For ease and consistency, ACHC initial and reaccreditation follow the same process.

  1. Log in to your customer portal.
    • Complete the online renewal application, confirming the accuracy of demographic information for all physical locations, and the services for which you are requesting accreditation. (Corporate customers: Please contact your Account Advisor for additional information.)
    • Submit your application deposit and select your payment plan.
  2. Your Account Advisor (AA) will be notified of the renewal application. They will conduct an application validation call to ensure the information is accurate and complete. After the call, your AA will send you the Agreement for Accreditation Services/Business Associate Agreement (BAA).
    • The signed agreement must be returned to ACHC within 90 days of the date it was sent to your organization.
    • Missing the 90-day window will void your organization’s application. If this occurs, your organization forfeits the application deposit and must begin the application process again.
  3. Once the agreement is signed and returned to ACHC, the survey will be scheduled.

Tools You Can Use

As you prepare for ACHC Accreditation, guidance and resources are available.

Already an ACHC customer? Log into your customer portal for access to multiple tools to support survey success.

Not yet ACHC-accredited? Complete the accompanying form to receive a complimentary copy of the “Items Needed for Survey” checklist.

Free Checklist: Items Needed for Survey

General Tips for Compliance

Review your existing policies and procedures; revise or create new ones as needed.

Prioritize your quality assessment and improvement efforts. Ensure that you have effective systems for tracking quality indicators for processes of care, services, and operations.

Engage your staff in preparing for accreditation, no matter how well your organization is performing.

Here for You

ACHC is your partner in accreditation. For information on ACHC Accreditation, email [email protected] or call (855) 937-2242.