URAC Health Utilization Management accreditation for Nationwide Better Health

Nationwide Better Health^SM, a leading provider of health and productivity management solutions, announced today that it has been awarded Health Utilization Management Accreditation from URAC, a Washington DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. URAC’s Health Utilization Management Accreditation standards require companies to establish a process to assess, plan and implement case management interventions.

“We’re pleased to be recognized with the URAC Health Utilization Management Accreditation for our commitment to excellence in the industry,” said Dr. Neil Gordon, chief medical and science officer for Nationwide Better Health. “This truly underscores the promise made to our customers and partners by demonstrating compliance with national standards for utilization management services.”

URAC’s current Health Utilization Management standards build on the Core Accreditation Standards, and:

• Establish consistency and maintain the highest confidentiality in UM processes
• Serve as the basis for many states’ laws and regulations and are the most widely recognized UM standards at the state and federal level
• Are applicable to stand-alone UM organizations and UM functions within health benefits programs such as indemnity insurance, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and the newer Consumer-Directed Health Care plans
• Can be adopted by specialty UM companies, such as behavioral health and CAM
• Are compatible with the 2002 U.S. Department of Labor claims regulations

“Nationwide Better Health should be commended for meeting strict quality standards,” said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and CEO. “It is critically important for health care organizations to make a commitment to quality and accountability. URAC accreditation is a demonstration of that commitment.”

Nationwide Better Health’s utilization management program ensures efficient use of employer’s health care dollars by providing employees with appropriate care for their conditions through focused utilization review. The company’s utilization management services compliment its case and disease management programs.