URAC's first Telemed Leadership Forum attracted 100 attendees from hospitals and health systems, provider groups and telehealth providers. We had two keynote speakers on the first day: Dr. James "Butch" Rosser, a practicing physician and telemedicine pioneer, and Dr. Kevin Galpin, executive director of telehealth services for the Veterans Health Administration.
Many people agree that integration improves healthcare and health outcomes. Widespread integration itself, however, remains elusive; and closing the gaps between providers, health systems, and areas of access seems – at times, with traditional delivery models – nearly impossible. Yet, at the Telemed Leadership Forum 2018 (hosted by URAC and Telemedicine Magazine), telehealth emerged as an obvious and practical path to an integrated healthcare community.
URAC renovated its Core Accreditation model into something new and innovative: its Certification of Organizational Management. What is this new program, and why did URAC create it?
Performance measurement lies at the heart of any quality improvement process. But how do we know if the data collected from these measures is credible? The first step is to select measures that are valid and reliable. The second step is to engage an independent third party to evaluate the data for accuracy and completeness. URAC’s measures program has entered its second phase, which requires an audit of the measures data submitted by clients on an annual basis.
What exactly is the dark web and why should you care, either personally or as an employee of URAC?
Due to heavy media coverage back in February, you may be aware of CMS’ latest effort to expand access to affordable coverage through the expansion of short-term health plans. CMS unveiled their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on this effort entitled, “Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance” in the Federal Register on February 21. If you are a policy wonk like myself then you’ve been anticipating the release of this rule for a few months now following the President’s October 2017 executive order which essentially all but mandated it.
The Monthly Review spotlights a different URACer each month in a Q&A. This month it's Monica Kiah, URAC's payroll and benefits administrator.