Rehab Accreditation: CARF, Joint Commission, and More

Finding Quality Drug Rehabilitation Centers

With so many rehab program options in the growing industry of addiction treatment, how can you identify a rehabilitation program that will provide the quality care you or your loved one need to address the specific addiction issues?

Some of the questions you may have include:

• How can I know if an addiction treatment center provides the best standards of care?
• How do I know which facility is the best choice?
• Where can I find a treatment program that is acknowledged by industry professionals as a legitimate and effective rehab option?
• Is there a facility with licensed, credentialed professionals who have experience and expertise in substance use disorders?

After finding facilities that meet your treatment, insurance, and location needs, you can narrow the options by choosing an accredited facility.

Explore AAC’s Accredited Rehab Facilities Near Me

• All Treatment Centers
• California Rehab Center
• Miami, Florida Rehab Center
• Tampa, Florida Rehab Center
• Las Vegas Rehab Center
• Massachusetts Rehab Center
• Mississippi Rehab Center
• New Jersey Rehab Center
• Rhode Island Rehab Center
• Texas Rehab Center
• Locations Nationwide: Resolutions Recovery Residences

What is a Rehab Accreditation?

Holding accreditations means that, in addition to meeting the requirements to be licensed by the state, the addiction treatment program adheres to certain policies, guidelines, and standards of practice and care set by a respected third-party organization in the addiction and mental health treatment industry. The facility undergoes a lengthy process that includes a series of evaluations in the pursuit to reach standards of excellence in client care. For you or your loved one, it means quality services are received. Several accreditation bodies help govern rehab treatment facilities.

Accreditations, Reviews & Ratings

The Meaning of Accreditation to You and Your Loved One

Becoming an accredited facility shows a provider’s ability to meet standards of quality and care in addiction therapy practices that are often more comprehensive than the state requirements to become a licensed facility. Additionally, accredited treatment facilities commit to continued learning and growth within the addiction and mental health space and are re-evaluated by the accrediting agency regularly.

During the lengthy preparation and accreditation process, the facility and staff opens its doors for the accrediting bodies for onsite visits and evaluations. A number of practices are evaluated at the facility—including the organization’s day-to-day operations, aspects of the facility’s management, staffing, training, policies and procedures, safety plans, client residential areas, treatment areas and equipment, programming schedules, and the effectiveness of the clinical services and therapies.

Thus, accredited treatment programs ensure the following:

• A person-centered approach to client care
• Safe rehabilitation practices
• Adherence to policy and procedure standards
• Cultural competence with special populations
• Integrated services and a coordinated plan of care
• Protective environments for healing
• Medical stabilization, psychiatric treatment, and support
• Research-based interventions
• A staff that meets the training standards for the delivery of addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders treatment
• A facility emergency plan that meets the health and safety standards
• Documentation, critical incident reports, and emergency drills
• A focus on quality improvement activities

The Accreditation Process

When providers decide to pursue accreditation, they go through an intensive application and review process that can take a year or more of preparation before the accrediting body even visits the facility. Additionally, accreditations can be expensive; thus, not every facility gets accredited even though it can be a positive differentiator for individuals and their families seeking treatment.

Accreditation Means:

• The facility has gone through onsite visits, which include audits of its management, staff credentials, program practices, and treatment outcomes.
• The staff meets the education and training requirements outlined by the accreditation body.
• The program offers addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders treatment.
• The treatment facility meets standards of care for client addiction therapy.
• The facility meets safety standards for clients and staff defined by the accrediting body.
• The facility operates according to a standard set of procedures and policies recognized as best practices in operating and managing an addiction treatment facility.
• The facility staff is trained on policies pertaining to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
• The facility workforce strives for the inclusion of all clients including special populations such as minorities, members of the LGBT community, the elderly, non-English-speaking individuals, those who may be physically or mentally disabled, and other groups.

Accrediting Bodies

While several accreditation bodies help govern rehabilitation facilities, the two most prominent accrediting organizations for addiction treatment programs include the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Joint Commission, previously known as JCAHO. For this reason, the majority of addiction programs seek accreditation from these two groups.

CARF Accreditation

CARF, an international nonprofit accreditation body that has been in existence since 1966, evaluates health and human services in aging services, behavioral health, child and youth services, employment and community service, medical rehabilitation, and inpatient rehab programs.¹

CARF currently maintains:¹

• More than 60,000 programs and services at over 28,000 locations.
• More than 15.3 million people of all ages are served each year by 8,000-plus CARF-accredited service providers.
• Accredited programs in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Elected board members, who all have expertise and experience in related programs, oversee policies and standards as well as provide ongoing consultation to CARF member facilities.²

The weight that CARF accreditation carries is recognized internationally in the health and human services fields. During the thorough review and application process, surveyors look for consistency in procedures and policies. Additionally, insurance companies require CARF accreditation for rehabilitation services.³

Addressed in their mission statement, CARF strives to “promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served.” CARF-accredited facilities and service providers abide by CARF’s core values that all people deserve to be treated with respect, have access to high-quality services, and utilize informed choice.⁴

The Joint Commission

The Joint Commission, established in 1951, accredits and evaluates more than 22,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. Formerly known as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the Joint Commission evaluates these healthcare organizations, facilities, and professionals and challenges them to provide safe and effective care at the highest quality and value.⁵

The Joint Commission surveyors—made up of doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, laboratory medical technologists, and other healthcare professionals—visit facilities a minimum of once every 3 years (every 2 years for laboratories) to assess compliance. Self-assessment scoring tools help these facilities and organizations monitor their ongoing standards and compliance.⁵

The Joint Commission accredits various programs, including:⁵

• Ambulatory healthcare.
• Assisted living communities.
• Behavioral healthcare.
• Critical access hospitals.
• Home healthcare.
• Hospitals.
• Laboratory services.
• Nursing care centers.
• Pharmacies.

Other Healthcare Certifications and Memberships

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA offers its Seal of Compliance to healthcare providers that meet exceptional quality care standards in the behavioral health industry. Additionally, a facility that bears the HIPAA seal demonstrates a commitment to protect the privacy of patients’ personal health information.⁶

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Directory

To be listed in SAMHSA’s national Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator—used by individuals (and their loved ones) seeking treatment for substance use and/or mental health disorders—facilities must be licensed and/or accredited by their respective state licensing agency or one of the national accrediting agencies.⁷

National Association for Behavioral Healthcare

The National Association for Behavioral Healthcare recognizes facilities that are “committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment, and care” of individuals with substance use and/or mental health disorders.⁸

HIRE Vets Medallion Program

The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act) requires the secretary of labor to establish a program that recognizes employer efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans.⁹

Facility Accreditation Fees

None of these accreditations, certifications, or memberships are free. Facilities make a commitment to quality care and a financial investment when they decide to go through the accreditation or certification process.

Accredited Addiction Programs by Numbers

So how prevalent is accreditation in substance use treatment facilities? In 2020, of the 16,066 addiction treatment programs that voluntarily supplied information on their programs for the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 30% were accredited by CARF, the Joint Commission accredited 23%, and 891 facilities did not hold any licenses or accreditations.¹⁰

Are AAC facilities accredited?

Yes. All American Addiction Centers (AAC) facilities are accredited by CARF or the Joint Commission or both. That’s because of our strong desire to help individuals turn their lives around after struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. We want to provide effective, research-based addiction therapies that meet the highest industry standards.

We know that accreditation means constantly re-evaluating and improving processes to provide the highest quality of care and to continue educating our healthcare professionals and staff on changing industry standards, on treatment considerations and protocol, interventions, psychopharmacological advances in detoxification, and more.

Selecting an addiction treatment program with CARF or Joint Commission accreditation indicates that quality, safety, high standards, and therapies based in research carry weight in your facility selection.

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Continuous Quality Care Standards

Facilities must renew accreditations every 1 to 3 years, depending on the accrediting body, the type of facility, and other factors. The need to re-assess often shows the provider’s commitment to continuously improve service quality and focus on the satisfaction of the individuals served.

Additional Benefits of Accreditation

Insurance Reimbursement

Third-party payers like insurance companies often use CARF and Joint Commission accreditation to determine the facilities where they will cover or reimburse for services.

A Safe, Therapeutic Environment

Becoming an accredited facility requires a rigorous vetting process, which may be considered safer than a facility that has not been vetted. Furthermore, accrediting bodies require person-centered care, which means the environment centers around your recovery.

Marketing Programs and Promotion

When combing through a sea of treatment options, looking for the CARF or Joint Commission stamps of approval—used with permission—makes the task less overwhelming.

Risk Management and Safety

Accreditation can help an organization reduce its exposure to risk in areas like human resources, healthcare, governance, and finance.

Quality Care

By achieving accreditation from CARF or Joint Commission, the facilities ensure high-quality care and treatment that meets the standard of the accrediting entity.

Non-Accredited Addiction Treatment Facilities

In 2020, 5.5% of addiction treatment facilities were not licensed or accredited.¹⁰ 

There are addiction rehab facilities that are not accredited but operate as treatment facilities. Accreditation isn’t mandatory and can be an expensive and laborious process that may not make sense for a smaller facility.

However, earning accreditation from CARF or the Joint Commission signifies that the treatment programs at the facilities have met internationally accepted and research-based standards.

Accreditation and Chances for Greater Recovery Success

Success treatment outcomes depend on many variables—including substance misuse history, co-occurring mental health disorders, chronic health conditions, home environment, and more.

While attending a treatment program in an accredited facility does not guarantee long-term recovery, accredited programs provide research-based therapies and the highest standard in addiction treatment care that puts the individual first.