Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
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SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Overview
- Who Is CARF-Accredited?
- What Kind of Behavioral Health Organizations Does CARF Accredit?
- What Does CARF Require for Accreditation?
- What Is the Process for CARF Accreditation?
- Why Is CARF Accreditation Important?
- Why Choose CARF-Accredited Rehab?
- What If the Facility I’m Considering Isn’t Accredited?
- Find A CARF-Accredited Rehab in Your Area
- Resources
Overview
When you or your loved one are struggling with alcohol or drug rehab, it can be overwhelming to try and find effective help quickly. The reality is that there are thousands of options out there, and it can be hard to identify which option is best for you. One of the best ways to determine the quality, trust, and reputability of the rehab center you’re considering is by choosing an accredited rehab facility. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is one of the leading entities in the examination, assessment, and accreditation of substance use facilities in the United States.
Who Is CARF-Accredited?
In an effort to ensure quality, consistency, and accountability in the addiction treatment landscape, several governing bodies within the industry have emerged to provide baseline criteria for clinical care and patient experience. One of the most prominent of these organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF® ).
An independent, non-profit accreditor of health and human services, CARF leverages the accreditation process to assist service providers in demonstrating value through the quality of their services and meeting internationally recognized organizational and program standards.
For patients and their loved ones, CARF and similar organizations offer peace of mind and quality assurance during what is often a time of considerable uncertainty. The organization was founded in 1966 and has helped hundreds of rehabilitation facilities deliver optimal patient care.
What Kind of Behavioral Health Organizations Does CARF
What Kind of Behavioral Health Organizations Does CARF Accredit?
Over their 58-year tenure, CARF has provided accreditation and certification to a wide range of behavioral entity paradigms, including:
- Assertive Community Treatment
- Assessment and Referral
- Case Management/Services Coordination
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
- Community Housing
- Community Integration
- Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program
- Court Treatment
- Crisis Contact Center
- Crisis Intervention
- Crisis Programs
- Crisis Stabilization
- Diversion/Intervention
- Employee Assistance
- Health Home
- Information Call Centers
- Inpatient Treatment
- Integrated Behavioral Health/Primary Care
- Intensive Family-Based Services
- Intensive Outpatient Treatment
- Office-Based Opioid Treatment Program
- Outpatient Treatment
- Day Treatment / Partial Hospitalization
- Prevention
- Promoting Nonviolent Practices
- Residential Treatment
- Specialized or Treatment Foster Care
- Student Counseling
- Supported Living Therapeutic Communities
- Detox and Withdrawal Management
Organizations within all treatment models are assessed for various criteria related to clinical quality, patient experience, and other critical factors pertinent to the substance use treatment journey. It’s important to note that CARF accredits behavioral health entities as well as opioid treatment programs.
What Does CARF Require for Accreditation?
The specific criteria for each facility will vary according to each type of organization; however, CARF generally assesses pillars of person-centered care, safety, quality outcomes, and continuous improvement checks to determine:
- If the organization respects individual dignity, cultural preferences, and involves people in decisions about their own care
- If the facility is safe, comfortable, clean, and well-maintained
- If the services at the facility effectively help people achieve their goals, and does the provider actively work to improve results?
- If the facility has strong management practices, financial stewardship, and risk reduction
- If staff are well-trained, qualified, and supported through ongoing professional development
- If staff meet detailed standards for programs like substance use disorder treatment (ASAM), aging services, or community rehabilitation
Accreditation is administered by experienced and qualified professionals who are trained to determine quality and compliance.
What Is the Process for CARF Accreditation?
CARF employs a detailed and extensive multistep process to ensure they are fully compliant with standards and up to the standards of certification. Steps to accreditation include:
- Initial Contact and Questionnaire Submission
- Self-Evaluation to Determine Compliance Potential
- Accreditation Survey Submission
- Selection of Survey Team (Organizations are paired with surveyors who are trained to assess their particular treatment model)
- Organization Survey
- Accreditation Decision
- Quality Improvement Plan Submission
- Annual Conformance to Quality Report Submission
Once accreditation is established, CARF representatives provide ongoing support and guidance on how organizations can maintain and exceed standards. This helps ensure that organizations understand their rights, responsibilities, and how to maintain their status.
Why Is CARF Accreditation Important?
When you think of the main questions that you have when it’s time for you or your loved one to enter rehab, many, if not most, of them are answered by the peace of mind of knowing they’re backed by CARF accreditation. As necessary as treatment for those battling substance use disorder, there’s no question that it can bring a lot of uncertainty when it comes time to choose a program. Patients and their loved ones want to know if they will be safe and respected; if they will be comfortable; if they will receive quality care; if the facility will have their interests at heart; and more. CARF helps provide a baseline of quality assurance accountability to ensure that these concerns will be addressed.
Why Choose CARF-Accredited Rehab?
CARF accreditation and backing provide a much-needed baseline of quality to give you or your loved one the peace of mind you need when entering the treatment experience. The reality is that as necessary and lifesaving as addiction treatment is, it can be scary to go to a new place where you don’t know anyone, especially when you’re in the throes of withdrawal. CARF accreditation signals to you or your loved one that you’re entering a quality facility that has been examined according to rigorous quality-assurance standards, such as cleanliness, staff quality, and patient experience. No matter what type of rehab you’re looking for, check and see if it’s accredited by CARF.
What If the Facility I’m Considering Isn’t Accredited?
If you’re unable to find a CARF-accredited facility, for whatever reason, you can use their guidelines and criteria to ask questions about the quality of care and patient experience offered at the facility you’re considering. These criteria provide the opportunity for self-advocacy during the search for treatment. The most important thing is to get help.
Find A CARF-Accredited Rehab in Your Area
We’re ready to help you find a rehab center in your area that’s accredited by CARF so you can get the peace of mind and assurance you deserve when entering treatment. This is an incredibly courageous decision you’re making and you deserve to know that you’re getting help at a quality institution. Use our directory find the right CARF-accredited rehab center for you. We look forward to helping you begin your new life in treatment and recovery. Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is an independent non-profit accreditor of health and human services.
