November 2, 2011
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Obtains and Retains URAC Accreditation
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has been awarded case management, disease management and health utilization management accreditations from URAC, a Washington, D.C.-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.
“URAC accreditations are a significant achievement and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to providing customer value and personalized health management,” said Andrew C. Corbin, BCBSKS president/CEO. “Throughout our nearly 70-year history we have taken the steps necessary to provide our members and contracting providers with high-quality programs; these URAC accreditations validate the long-standing efforts of our employees.”
“By applying for and receiving disease management, case management and health utilization management accreditation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care,” 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.”
According to URAC, obtaining the case management accreditation enables organizations to successfully train case managers, identify individuals for case management, and manage and conduct case management activities in an efficient and professional manner.
Obtaining disease management accreditation ensures that organizations implement a process to assess the health condition of each participant, conduct assessments according to a standard process, implement interventions designed to respond to the specific health needs of the patient, and employ evidence-based decision-support tools that are reviewed and updated annually.
Obtaining health utilization management accreditation ensures that all types of organizations conducting utilization review follow a process that is clinically sound and respect patients’ and providers’ rights while giving payers reasonable guidelines to follow.
URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting health care quality through accreditation and certification programs. URAC’s standards keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a mark of distinction for health care organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful standards for the health care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSKS is the state's largest health insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte.
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