Aveanna Sets New Gold Standard for Home Heart Failure Care

ATLANTA, GA – February 11, 2026 – In a move that signals a significant advancement in the management of chronic disease at home, Aveanna Healthcare has earned a prestigious national certification for its specialized heart failure program, Heartways. The accreditation, awarded by the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), validates the program as meeting the highest industry standards for quality and patient outcomes, positioning the company as a leader in tackling one of the nation’s most pervasive and costly health crises.

Setting a New Standard in Home-Based Heart Care

Aveanna Home Health and Hospice, a division of the Atlanta-based healthcare giant, received the CHAP Disease Program Certification for Heart Failure, an accreditation that goes far beyond standard compliance. CHAP is an independent, non-profit body with "deeming authority" from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), meaning its standards meet or exceed federal requirements for home health and hospice care.

This specific certification is not a rubber stamp. It is the result of a rigorous evaluation of the Heartways program's core components, including its evidence-based structure, its methods for tracking quality metrics, the advanced, specialized education provided to its clinicians, and the effectiveness of its self-management tools for patients. For a program to earn this seal, it must demonstrate a consistent, systematic approach to improving care for individuals living with heart failure.

“By achieving CHAP Disease Program Certification, Aveanna Home Health and Hospice has shown a commitment to excellence,” said Nathan DeGodt, CHAP President & CEO, in a statement. “Their efforts to strengthen their clinical performance using evidence-based protocols means consistency becomes a result, not a goal.”

DeGodt emphasized the scale of the achievement, noting it reflects a commitment to practices that "help reduce hospitalizations and strengthen patient self-management." This external validation distinguishes the Heartways program in a competitive marketplace, offering patients, families, and referring physicians a clear benchmark for high-quality, specialized cardiac care in the home.

A Targeted Strike Against a National Health Crisis

The certification arrives at a critical time. Heart disease remains a dominant public health challenge in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all American adults—an estimated 127.9 million people—suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. The economic toll is staggering, with direct and indirect costs reaching over $422 billion annually.

A significant portion of these costs is driven by hospital readmissions. Heart failure is a leading cause of hospitalization, and research shows that nearly a quarter of patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. However, studies also indicate that as many as 70% of these readmissions could be prevented if patients are equipped with the skills and support for effective self-management.

This is precisely where programs like Heartways aim to make an impact. By moving complex disease management from the hospital to the home, these specialized programs focus on education, monitoring, and early intervention. Comprehensive research reviews have consistently shown that structured home care for heart failure patients can significantly reduce readmission rates—in some cases by up to 66%—while improving quality of life and even lowering mortality rates. The CHAP certification formally recognizes Aveanna's Heartways program as a structured, effective tool in this fight.

Inside the Heartways Program: A Two-Pronged Approach

Aveanna’s Heartways program is built on a scientifically validated framework designed to provide comprehensive support tailored to the patient's stage of illness. It operates on a dual-track system, addressing the distinct needs of both home health and hospice patients.

For home health patients in the earlier stages of heart disease, the program is proactive and preventative. It focuses on empowering patients through comprehensive education about their condition, medications, and dietary needs. Clinicians provide guidance on establishing daily routines and use monitoring tools to track symptoms and vital signs, allowing them to catch early warning signs before they escalate into a crisis requiring hospitalization.

“This program will improve the lives of home health patients with heart disease while reducing avoidable readmissions for our hospital partners,” stated Shane Brinkerhoff, President of Home Health and Hospice at Aveanna Healthcare.

For patients with end-stage heart disease who have transitioned to hospice care, the program’s focus shifts to palliative support. The protocols are designed to provide comfort and enhance quality of life. This includes advanced symptom management to alleviate pain and shortness of breath, along with tools that help family and caregivers recognize changes in the patient's condition. A core component is providing compassionate support not just for the patient, but for the entire family during a difficult time.

The Future of Care Shifts to the Home

Aveanna's achievement is emblematic of a broader transformation in healthcare delivery. As the U.S. population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases grows, the model of care is increasingly shifting away from institutional settings and toward the patient's home. This certification solidifies Aveanna’s position as a key player in this evolution, particularly in the high-need area of cardiac care.

In a crowded home healthcare market, this validated specialization serves as a powerful differentiator. While many providers offer heart failure programs, the CHAP Disease Program Certification provides an objective, third-party endorsement of quality and effectiveness that can build trust with payers and referral partners. Hospitals, which face financial penalties for high readmission rates, are increasingly seeking reliable home care partners who can demonstrate superior outcomes. An accredited program like Heartways becomes an attractive solution.

This move also aligns with the industry's pivot toward value-based care, where providers are reimbursed based on patient outcomes rather than the volume of services rendered. By demonstrating a commitment to a program proven to reduce costly hospitalizations and improve patient well-being, Aveanna is well-positioned to thrive in this new landscape. The certification is more than an award; it is a strategic step that reinforces the growing consensus that for millions of Americans, the future of high-quality, sustainable healthcare is right at home.