URAC's January Accreditation Awards Highlight Commitment to Quality and Accountablility

Washington, D.C.(February 21, 2003) -- URAC's Accreditation and Executive Committees awarded accreditation to a number of health care organizations that have demonstrated compliance with URAC's rigorous accreditation standards.

"Each of these organizations should be commended for meeting strict quality standards," said Garry Carneal, URAC president and CEO. "It is critically important for health care organizations to make a commitment to quality and accountability. URAC accreditation is a demonstration of that commitment."

To achieve URAC accreditation, an organization undergoes a thorough evaluation of its processes and structures. The accreditation process includes a review of an applicant's documents and policies, as well as an onsite operational assessment. URAC accreditation is granted by the Accreditation and Executive Committees, which are composed of industry experts representing a broad range of health care stakeholders.

The following organizations are newly accredited by URAC:

• American Specialty Health Networks, San Diego, Calif. - Claims Processing Organization Accreditation
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT), Montpelier, Vt. - Case Management Organization Accreditation
• Community Health Partners, Naples, Fla. - Health Utilization Management Accreditation
• Comprehensive Medical Care Inc., Warrensville, Ohio - Case Management Organization Accreditation
• Kid's Health Portal & Licensed Content, www.kidshealth.org www.kidshealth.org - Health Web Site Accreditation
• VSP Eyecare Benefit Plan, www.vsp.com - Health Web Site Accreditation

The following organizations have undergone reaccreditation by URAC:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala. - Health Utilization Management Accreditation
• Health Cost Consultants, Inc., Chantilly, Va. - Health Utilization Management Accreditation
• Liberty Mutual Managed Care, Inc. with sites in Spartanburg, S.C. and Wausau, Wis. - Workers' Compensation Utilization Management Accreditation
• Maricopa Foundation for Medical Care dba Arizona Foundation for Medical Care, Phoenix, Ariz. - Health Utilization Management Accreditation
• Midlands Choice, Inc., Omaha, Neb. - Health Provider Credentialing Accreditation

A complete list of URAC-accredited organizations is available on URAC's Web site at www.urac.org

URAC is a leader in the accreditation of health and managed care organizations. Founded in 1990, URAC currently offers 14 accreditation programs that span a broad spectrum of health care services. URAC has issued over 2,300 accreditation certificates to more than 500 health care programs. URAC-accredited organizations do business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada and provide services to more than 120 million people. For more information about URAC, call (202) 216-9010 or visit www.urac.org.