URAC's Health Web Site Standards
URAC's rigorous standards help build quality health Web sites that consumers trust. When you see the URAC Health Web Site Accreditation Seal, you can be confident that you are visiting a trustworthy site.
URAC has more than 10 years experience creating high standards of quality and accountability for health care companies. Our rigorous evaluation process, called accreditation, is a process to measure the ability of a company to meet more than 50 stringent quality standards. URAC's Health Web Site Standards were designed to ensure that your expectations for receiving quality, trustworthy services are being met.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are standards?
Standards are requirements that an organization must meet to earn accreditation. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Standards are available from URAC by request or by purchasing the Accreditation Guide through the URAC store here.
Why are standards important?
Standards are important because they provide a consistent benchmark for quality. URAC uses the same standards for the accreditation of all health Web sites.
How were URAC’s Standards developed?
The standards were developed by a broad-based committee of health Web site experts. The committee included health care providers, consumers, and health Web site companies. The committee met over the period of a year to develop and refine the standards. URAC also released the standards for public review, so that all interested parties had an opportunity to comment.
Who decided upon these specific Standards?
The standards were developed by a broad-based committee of health Web site experts. The committee included health care providers, consumers, and health Web site companies. The committee met over the period of a year to develop and refine the standards. URAC also released the standards for public review, so that all interested parties had an opportunity to comment.
Who was involved in developing the Standards?
The standards were developed by a broad-based committee of health Web site experts. The committee included health care providers, consumers, and health Web site companies. The committee met over the period of a year to develop and refine the standards. URAC also released the standards for public review, so that all interested parties had an opportunity to comment.
How were consumers involved in the development of URAC’s Standards?
Consumers were represented on the committee that developed URAC standards, and on URAC's Board of Directors. During the standards development process, URAC also put the draft standards out for public review, so that anyone could comment on them.
What do URAC’s Standards cover?
URAC standards cover numerous issue important to consumers who use health Web sites, including: privacy and security, disclosure, how content is developed and revised, and how the site chooses to link to other sites. The standards also look at the organization behind the Web site. Does it have adequate policies and procedures? Does it have a quality oversight process?
Do the Standards ever change?
Yes. URAC will update the standards periodically to ensure that they stay current with best practices for health Web sites.
How does URAC determine if a company meets a Standard?
During the accreditation process, URAC reviews the actual Web site, as well as background information such as site policies and procedures and other documents. URAC also interviews the Web site staff to make sure they understand and abide by the standards.
What do I do if I feel that a URAC accredited Web site is not meeting the Standards?
You are encouraged to file a complaint if you feel a URAC-accredited site is not meeting the standards. Click here for information on how to contact URAC. URAC will follow-up with the Web site to correct the problem.