At This Time of Thanksgiving...

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As I reflect on 2019 and URAC’s product development accomplishments, I am constantly amazed that we are fewer than 60 employees strong! In addition to the standards development activities undertaken by Donna, Deborah, and Lauren who work tirelessly and thoughtfully on both the revisions and development of new programs, I’d like to thank the Client Relations Managers (Derrick, Ashley, Bilqis and Shionna) and Sales Executives (Greg, Larry, Sheila and Tracey) whose leg of the race is just beginning as PD rolls out its programs.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize the work of Laura and Michala whose creativity and collaboration serve to strengthen URAC’s overall brand equity and accelerate URAC awareness in current and new markets. The work of the scoring team (Eleni, Karen, Josh, Deborah and Donna), while tedious at times, lent itself to clear improvements and transparency. I’d be remiss if I failed to recognize our fellow policy wonks, Brittany and Aaron, whose leadership is building URAC’s name on a local and national scale. Lastly, the clinical subject matter experts from both the Care Management and Pharmacy Teams, who lend insights and credence to our program standards are invaluable. As Shionna so aptly stated in last Tuesday’s Staff Meeting…we are all connected in this journey.

We are #OneURAC.

Program	Highlights	Clients as of 11.25.19	Delivery Date
Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Supplier v1.0 Infusion Pharmacy v1.0	Governed by 21st Century Cures Act Pharmacists recognized as providers; may bill for services Medicare HITS - specific to infusion therapy administered in the home of a Medicare patient Infusion Pharmacy - other payers and/or administration sites	14	7.1.2019
Independent Medical Examinations (IME) v1.0	Derived from URAC’s Independent Review Organization (IRO) program Highlights IME role in workers’ compensation / other liability business Accredited IROs with both IRO and IME functions may: Continue under IRO accreditation or Seek IME accreditation	3	10.28.2019
Provider-Based Population Health v1.0	Recognizes providers/provider organizations engaged in management of populations defined by payer contracts Program standards address: Population Health Risk Management Patient Centeredness in Clinical Management IT Capability Introduces Integrated Behavioral Health principles and Social Determinants of Health	TBD	12.9.2019
Medicaid Managed Care Health Plan v1.0	Deemable elements of federal managed care regulations Incorporates managed care functional areas Aligns with URAC Health Plan Accreditation Attention given to key areas: Telehealth Value-based payment Opioids Social determinants of health Maternal mortality	TBD	12.16.19
Contact Center Certification v1.0	Derived from URAC’s Health Call Center Accreditation Non-Clinical standards address: Consumer support information or advice Product support Telemarketing and tele-sales functions Includes consumer protections: Privacy and security of information Business practices Consent Competency of personnel Performance monitoring and ongoing quality improvement	TBD	11.18.19
Rare Disease Pharmacy Center of Excellence Designation v1.0	Standards address: Patient Management Patient, caregiver and pharmacy staff education Risk Management Medication handling and dispensing Manufacturer data requirements Advanced patient support to ensure proper delivery, use, monitoring of drugs and treatment outcomes	TBD	12.23.19
Specialty Pharmacy/Mail Service Pharmacy v4.0	Streamlined, simplified standards, structure and format Foundational Focus Areas (formerly Core 4.0) Requirements for temperature management during distribution Added to clinical foundation of Patient Management program Introduced Small Specialty Pharmacy pricing program	17	10.1.2019

At This Time of Thanksgiving...

Written by Robin Adams

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