30
September
2016
|
15:00 PM
America/Phoenix

What’s Accreditation and What Does it Mean to You?

By Tina Trout

“Is your health plan accredited?” This probably is not the type of question you’ll hear at a dinner party, but it is important, especially when it comes to having peace of mind about your health plan. In fact, knowing that the answer is “yes” just might help you feel better about the company that provides your health insurance.

To be “accredited” means that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has been reviewed by an outside organization to determine if we are meeting best practices and standards for our industry.

The good news is we are accredited by URAC, a non-profit organization that has promoted healthcare quality for more than 25 years. In 2012, BCBSAZ became the first Arizona-based health plan to be accredited by URAC.1 We are especially proud of the fact that for decades we had the majority, if not all, of the requirements in place to receive accreditation.

So what does this mean to you? Well, URAC accreditation is a nationally recognized symbol of excellence that offers consumers confidence that BCBSAZ is operating within nationally-recognized standards, and is committed to providing our customers with exceptional service.

Here’s just a few examples of the standards that URAC reviews on a regular basis:

  • Member information – Reviews our policies and procedures to ensure that information shared with consumers is timely and accurate.2
  • Wellness programs – Ensures that goals are established for wellness programs and that members receive the support they need to meet their goals (i.e., achieving a healthy weight; managing stress, etc.).3
  • Pharmacy benefits – Ensures that members are informed of any changes in their prescription drug benefits.4

“Is your health plan accredited?” Because you have health insurance from BCBSAZ, the answer is a resounding “yes”. For more information about URAC accreditation, visit URAC.org.

About the Author

Tina Trout, RN, MSHA, CPHQ, CSHA, is the Director of Quality and Accreditation with BCBSAZ. With over 30 years of accreditation experience in the healthcare industry, her expertise helps create a great experience for 1.4 million BCBSAZ members.
Sources:
1. URAC Directory of Accredited Companies, Arizona Health Plans search conducted on 5/13/16; https://accreditnet2.urac.org/UracPortal/Directory/DirectorySearch/List/eb668f29-04e3-430c-bf43-52a87b208a6e 
2. Wellness Accreditation Guide, Version 1.0; Marketing and Sales Communications, CORE 10 - Review of Marketing and Sales Materials, pg. 60
3. Wellness Accreditation Guide, Version 1.0; Wellness Standard 21 - Dissemination of Participant's Assessment Results, pg. 187
4. Pharmacy Benefit Management Accreditation Guide, Version 2.0, Pharmacy Benefit Management, Version 2.0, CSCD 2(b), pg. 170
Summary

“Is your health plan accredited?” This probably is not the type of question you’ll hear at a dinner party, but it is important, especially when it comes to having peace of mind about your health plan. In fact, knowing that the answer is “yes” just might help you feel better about the company that provides your health insurance.

Disclaimer

© Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona | An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
 

This information is provided for educational purposes only. Individuals should always consult with their healthcare providers regarding medical care or treatment, as recommendations, services or resources are not a substitute for the advice or recommendation of an individual's physician or healthcare provider. Services or treatment options may not be covered under an individual’s particular health plan.