The URAC Report

Advanced telehealth programs have the potential to transform the workers’ compensation industry, providing injured employees with a convenient, personal and effective alternative to on-site medical care while reducing utilization of unnecessary services.

With healthcare costs on the rise, telehealth is increasingly being seen as a way for healthcare organizations to save money. A March 2017 report by The Rural Broadband Association suggests telehealth use holds the potential for robust savings. While the cost savings vary by state, the U.S. national average of hospital cost savings per medical facility is estimated at $20,841. In California, for example, the annual hospital cost savings is estimated at $104,564 per facility.   

LAS VEGAS, NV –  April 24, 2017  – URAC’s President and CEO Kylanne Green and Director of Pharmacy Heather Bonome have been selected to speak at the 2017 Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit at the Wynn & Encore Las Vegas. URAC is the premier accrediting organization in the U.S. pharmacy industry.

WASHINGTON, DC – April 19, 2017 –Independent accreditor URAC today released a new Industry Insight Report for specialty pharmacy providers entitled “Competing in the Specialty Pharmacy Market: Key Competencies for Performance in Value-Based Healthcare.” The report examines why specialty pharmacies need to incorporate a sixth right -- the right result -- to the traditional “five rights” of medication administration, to be successful in the value-based healthcare model. The patient-centric care model, when employed by specialty pharmacies, means working with individual patients and their providers to achieve the drug’s intended therapeutic result and prevent a costly hospital stay.

Washington, DC -- In a series of articles with nationally recognized health industry leaders, URAC finds that value-based, coordinated care will continue to be the goal for physicians, pharmacists, case managers and others. URAC, the independent leader in promoting healthcare quality through accreditation, education and measurement, compiled comments from industry leaders over several weeks. The articles appear on the URAC blog.

As the healthcare industry continues its efforts toward improved health outcomes, lower costs, and value-based reimbursement models, case managers have an opportunity to play an even more critical role, said Cheri Lattimer, RN, BSN, executive director of the National Transitions of Care Coalition. While this profession encompasses a number of important responsibilities in healthcare organizations, Lattimer points out three specific areas of growth in 2017 for case managers: patient engagement and education, transition planning, and role development.

Getting accredited or certified, whether it’s for a patient-centered medical home, clinically integrated network, pharmacy services, or healthcare management services, is a major commitment.  

A growing number of businesses are offering telehealth benefits as part of their employee medical packages. A key driver of the expansion of telehealth: the millennial workforce.