URAC Advisory Committees
The Standards Committee
The URAC Standards Committee is responsible for the maintenance of all of URAC’s accreditation standards, which are typically updated every few years. The Standards Committee includes representatives from many different stakeholder perspectives, who debate and discuss how URAC can most appropriately define quality standards for each type of health care organization URAC accredits. During the standards development and revision process, URAC also release draft standards to the public so that all interested parties may have an opportunity to comment. For new standards, URAC also conducts a beta-testing process to evaluate the draft standards in a real world environment. In addition the Standards Committee, URAC sometimes convenes specialized committee with particular expertise in a particular health care process or issue.
Health Web Site Committee
This committee is responsible for blinded review of all accreditation reports and providing a recommendation on accreditation status to the Executive Committee of URAC's Board, who ultimately awards accreditations. Members of this Accreditation Committee will have responsibilities including: - Reviewing applications for accreditation and making recommendations regarding their accreditation status and final disposition, - Assisting URAC in developing the interpretive framework of the health Web site Accreditation programs, - Providing technical assistance in developing program policy and applicant compliance, and - Advising URAC staff on strategic initiatives applicable to program growth.
Ideally, candidates for the health Web site Accreditation Committee should have the following credentials:
- Senior staff with a sound understanding of delivery of health information and services online
- Operational knowledge of consumer protection issues such as Privacy protection
- Sound business acumen to balance interpretive frameworks/policy with market realities - Strong interpersonal skill and the ability to work with a diverse group
- The ability to volunteer approximately 2-4 hours of their time to the Accreditation Committee on a monthly basis.
Employer Advisory Committee
The Employer Advisory Committee is responsible for guiding URAC in its goal of ensuring that all accreditation programs and initiatives provide value to the purchasers of healthcare services. Members of this Committee include employers of varied size as well as benefits consultants and healthcare industry thought leaders.