Full Accreditation in Health Utilization Management awarded to DNA Direct

DNA Direct, a leading provider of guidance and decision support for genomic medicine, announced today that it has been awarded Full Accreditation in Health Utilization Management by URAC, a Washington D.C.-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. The URAC accreditation process demonstrates a commitment to quality services and serves as a framework to improve business processes through benchmarking organizations against nationally recognized standards.

URAC promotes continuous improvement in the quality and efficiency of health care management through processes of accreditation and education. URAC standards ensure that only appropriately trained, qualified clinical personnel conduct and oversee the utilization review process, that a reasonable and timely appeals process is in place, and that medical decisions are based on valid clinical criteria.

"We are honored to be recognized by URAC for providing quality products and services," said Ryan Phelan, DNA Direct CEO. "This accreditation underscores our commitment to our customers and partners to improve patient care through the use of genomic medicine. It's very important that organizations in this sector are willing to measure themselves against the highest national standards for utilization management."

DNA Direct's guidance and decision support solutions enable health plans to ensure well-informed and appropriate use of molecular diagnostics and genetic tests through web-based decision support and a national call center of genetic experts.

"DNA Direct is demonstrating that companies within fast growing emerging sectors such as genomics are taking the lead in meeting strict quality standards," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and CEO. "Quality health care is crucial to our nation's welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards and undergo rigorous evaluation by an independent accrediting body."

DNA Direct offers two types of programs to help payors manage genetic testing -- utilization management and clinical decision support. The company's utilization management programs feature a web-based application that automates the preauthorization of genetic tests based on the health plan's clinical policy combined with a national call center of genetic experts available for provider and member support. The company also offers clinical decision support programs that leverage web-based tools and phone-based interventions by genetic experts to ensure that genetic tests are appropriately used to guide treatment decisions and prevention strategies.