General Questions About URAC Accreditation
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a process by which an impartial organization (URAC) will review a company's operations to ensure that the company is conducting business in a manner consistent with national standards.
What does "URAC" stand for?
Originally, URAC was incorporated under the name "Utilization Review Accreditation Commission." However, that name was shortened to just the acronym "URAC" in 1996 when URAC began accrediting other types of organizations such as health plans and preferred provider organizations.
Who does URAC accredit?
URAC accredits many types of health care organizations. It depends on the functions they carry out. We have a number of different accreditation programs, some that review the entire organization, such as the health plan standards, and some that focus on quality within a single functional area in an organization, e.g. case management or credentialing.
How many organizations are accredited, and in what states?
URAC is the largest accrediting body for health care. We accredit programs that do business in every state. All of URAC's accredited companies are listed on this Web site. Check out the accredited companies link. You can search by state or by company name.
Is URAC accreditation accepted Nationwide?
Yes. Some states also "recognize" URAC accreditation, meaning that the accreditation can be used to meet state regulatory requirements instead of separate reporting to the state. A few states require URAC accreditation in order for companies to do certain types of business.
How Are URAC Standards Developed and Updated?
Who develops URAC's standards?
URAC standards are developed by a committee of experts representing diverse interests in the health care community: providers, health care organizations, insurers, and the public interest. When new standards are developed, experts from that particular area of health care delivery participate on the committee. URAC always circulates draft standards for public comment so that anyone can have input in the standards development process.
How often does URAC update the standards?
Generally, URAC updates its standards every three years. Occasionally changes in the health care environment necessitate making a change in the interim. URAC's Standards Committee recommends changes, which then go to URAC's Board of Directors for approval.