Licensing vs. Accreditation
While it may seem fundamental to most, we often get asked the difference between “licensing” and “accreditation.” Licensing refers to the the licenses a facility will need to obtain from local and state regulatory bodies (most states require behavioral and mental health providers to be licensed). Accreditation refers to an extra level of regulation from a third-party organization. Many third party payers now requiresome level of accreditation.
State Licensing
In order to provide substance use disorder treatment, behavioral or mental healthcare, you will have to comply with all local and state licensing requirements in your location. Our professionals have helped facilities obtain the proper licenses in nearly every state in the country. Contact us today to learn how we can help you obtain the proper licenses for your facility.
Accreditation
For behavioral and mental health providers, accreditation is more important today than ever before. Potential clients are more discerning and will research the quality of treatment facilities provide, and an accredited facility has an advantage. Moreover, third party payers (read: insurance companies) are now often times requiring accreditation prior to authorizing treatment for their insureds. As such, accreditation, while not required like state licensing, is becoming almost mandatory if you want to attract the best potential clients with the best insurance policies.
Accrediting Organizations
Although there are a number of accrediting organizations in the world of human services organizations, there are really two main players: The Joint Commission (JCAHO) and The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Our team of experts and consultants have years of experience helping facilities achieve and maintain accreditation with both The Joint Commission and CARF.
NATSAP
Tetra Solutions has been working with behavioral healthcare organizations, alternative schools, and therapeutic schools and programs for the last several decades. We have helped facilities and schools develop cutting edge programs based on research and effective principles, and we have helped many programs achieve and maintain accreditation with one of the several national accrediting organizations.
As announced during its Annual Conference in 2020, the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) announced that all of its members will need to seek and achieve national accreditation by the end of 2022. While accreditation should not require wholesale changes to current NATSAP member organizations, there are some important requirements for accredited programs. We invite all NATSAP members to contact Tetra Solutions to learn more about how we can help you achieve and maintain accreditation with any of the national accreditation organizations.