URAC has approved revisions to nine of its healthcare management accreditation programs. The standards require the use of national quality measures and stress greater efficiency in the healthcare system.
Industry experts connect improvements in patient care and boosts in efficiency to reduced costs.
The new requirements also emphasize the need for greater consumer empowerment and healthcare transparency, specifically by ensuring that consumer materials are presented in plain language.
"The core standards help organizations define quality systems and set the framework for continuous quality improvement," said Douglas Metz, chairman of URAC's Health Standards Committee and chief health services officer for American Specialty Health. "The new standards both advance the consumer focus in healthcare management and continue to raise the bar on organizational quality improvement efforts."
In addition to changes to core accreditation, URAC's board approved revised standards for Independent Review Organization, Disease Management, Health Utilization Management, Workers' Compensation Utilization Management, Health Call Center, Credentials Verification Organization, Claims Processing and Consumer Education and Support accreditation programs.
"URAC's new disease management information therapy standards send an important message that high-quality, chronic care management requires a patient-centered approach," said Joshua Seidman, president of the not-for-profit Center for Information Therapy. "These standards set an important quality bar for disease management. For DM to work, it must be supported by the proactive delivery of information targeted to a consumer's moment in care and tailored to his or her individual needs."
URAC executives said important clarifications were made for the Independent Review Organization Accreditation standards regarding compliance with state and federal law and credentials for clinical peer reviewers.
URAC released draft standards to the public in April, inviting the industry and interested parties to provide input. Hundreds responded, representing employer groups, consumers, providers and government entities.
"URAC's standards revision process relies on the active participation of industry stakeholders and an engaged public," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC's president and chief executive officer. "Our goal is to protect and empower consumers and to continuously raise the quality bar through accreditation and education programs."
What difference has URAC accreditation meant to your organization? Send your comments to Healthcare IT News Editor Bernie Monegain at bernie.monegain@medtechpublishing.com