Community Health Plan of Washington Earns NCQA Community-Focused Care Accreditation
Nationally recognized accreditation affirms CHPW’s leadership in advancing community-centered care
SEATTLE — March 24, 2026 — Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), the only not-for-profit health plan offering Apple Health (Medicaid), Medicare Advantage, and Individual & Family Plans on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, announced today it has earned NCQA Community-Focused Care Accreditation (previously Health Equity Accreditation Plus) for its Medicaid and Medicare health plans. With this achievement, CHPW now holds three of NCQA’s designations including Health Plan Accreditation and Health Outcomes Care Accreditation (previously Health Equity Accreditation).
NCQA’s recognition validates CHPW’s role in improving community health and expanding access to quality care. The newly awarded Community-Focused Care Accreditation demonstrates the not-for-profit’s structured, collaborative approach to partnering with community-based organizations and connecting members to services that advance whole-person care, including housing, nutrition, transportation and other social needs. These efforts ensure care is accessible, coordinated and rooted in the communities members call home.
“This achievement represents the collective effort of teams across CHPW and reaffirms our longstanding commitment to putting community at the center of how we deliver care,” said Dr. Demetria Malloy, Chief Health Officer and Chief Medical Officer at CHPW. “While this is one of NCQA’s newer accreditations, it aligns seamlessly with our mission, the way we collaborate with community partners, and our dedication to ensuring every Washingtonian has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.”
The new accreditation builds on CHPW’s existing NCQA recognitions. The Health Outcomes Care Accreditation evaluates how organizations identify and address disparities in care, understand population health needs and drive measurable improvement. The Community-Focused Care designation expands on that work, recognizing organizations like CHPW that partner locally to address the social factors that shape health outcomes.
All together, these distinctions highlight CHPW’s leadership in delivering culturally responsive care and closing gaps in access, experience and quality for the members it serves.
About CHPW
Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) was founded more than 30 years ago by community health centers (CHCs) on the frontlines of serving low-income and underserved populations, and people from underrepresented communities. Today, 21 CHCs operating more than 200 clinics serve as the governing body for CHPW and provide the foundation for its primary care network. CHPW works to advance whole-person care and community across the state. It is the only Washington Medicaid health plan headquartered in Washington state, and its local staff provide care and resources grounded in the communities they serve. To learn more about CHPW, visit aboutus.chpw.org.
About NCQA
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also Recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter/X @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
Media Contact:
Jacque Gairrett / Luke Marcoe
[email protected]
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Download Press Release: CHPW Earns NCQA Community-Focused Care Accreditation
