What are URAC standards?
URAC standards are that map for organizations looking to improve their quality of care and safety. And while we set the standards, we don’t get prescriptive about how you achieve them. This approach supports and encourages your team’s innovation with best practices.
What is URAC in healthcare?
Founded in 1990, the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) is a Washington DC-based healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the entire healthcare industry. This makes URAC a leader in promoting healthcare quality.
What is the difference between URAC and NCQA?
NCQA accredits organizations ranging from health plans including HMOs and PPOs to physician networks and medical groups. URAC accredits health plan programs including dental plans, healthcare management programs, pharmacy quality management programs, and provider integration and coordination programs.
How does URAC define accreditation?
Accreditation is the process of rigorous review that allows health care organizations to demonstrate their ability to meet regulatory requirements and national standards established via a URAC stakeholder consensus process and recognized as key benchmarks for measuring the quality of an organization.
What is the mission of URAC?
Advancing the quality of health care through leadership, accreditation, measurement and innovation.
Who does URAC accredited?
Health care groups that can now earn URAC accreditation include health plans (HMOs and PPOs), health care management organizations (disease management, case management, patient-centered medical homes, health call centers, independent review organizations, etc.), health websites and telehealth operations.
Why is URAC important?
URAC is an independent leader in promoting health care quality through leadership, accreditation, measurement, and innovation. URAC accreditation standards are set to keep pace with the frequent changes in health care and provide distinction for organizations to demonstrate commitment to quality and accountability.
Who develops the standards for the URAC?
Accreditation standards for URAC programs are developed by independent experts, relying on advisory committees of experts in health care delivery.
Why is URAC accreditation important?
What are the five steps of URAC’s approach to the accreditation process?
The 5 Phases of “Gold Star” Accreditation
- 1. “ Get to Know You” – Application Submission.
- 2. “ Elevate Your Policies and Processes” – Desktop Review.
- 3. “ Walk the Talk” – Validation Review.
- 4. “ Strive to Earn a Gold Star” – Committee Review.
- 5. “ Stay the Course” – Ongoing Monitoring.
How often is URAC accreditation?
every three years
URAC’s board of directors gives final approval of accreditation standards. Typically these standards are updated every three years, so as to stay up to date with changes in the health care field.
Who is eligible for URAC case management accreditation?
Organizations that offer a case management program such as hospitals, accountable care organizations, health plans, provider-based practices, clinics and more are welcome to apply for Case Management Accreditation.
Why is URAC important to Your Health Utilization management process?
URAC’s accreditation program assures the clinical and operational soundness of your health utilization management process by evaluating it against a stringent set of nationally recognized, evidence-based standards and measures.
Who are the reviewers in the URAC program?
Additionally, our reviewers are URAC employees, all with clinical expertise, who receive regular training to ensure consistency throughout the accreditation process. We also recognize the effort it takes you to seek accreditation or certification.
How does URAC work to guide standard development?
URAC relies on multidisciplinary expert advisory groups from across health care to guide standard development and to inform the revision of existing programs. All new programs and revisions are posted for comment before release.