Advancing Quality, Innovation and Fair Market Practices in North Carolina
Accreditation plays a critical role in health care by providing independent verification of quality programs, supplementing state and federal regulations and driving continuous improvement. While regulations establish minimum safety standards, accreditation goes further—it sets the bar for quality.
The Issue: A Threat to Competition and Quality
Many states, including North Carolina, rely on accreditation to ensure that Medicaid health plans deliver high-quality health care. However, in North Carolina, competition is stifled by limiting accreditation to only one national accreditor. This anti-competitive approach eliminates choice and allows the government to determine market winners and losers—rather than letting accreditors compete on service, quality and innovation.
Why Choice in Accreditation Matters
- Supports High Standards – Patients benefit when accreditors compete based on the reliability of their standards and the validity of their certifications.
- Drives Innovation – A competitive accreditation marketplace encourages new and improved solutions for ensuring patient access to high-quality health care.
- Controls Costs – Competition reduces costs that would otherwise be passed on to Medicaid programs and ultimately, tax-payers.
- Protects Free Market Principles – Ensuring multiple accreditation options fosters fair competition rather than allowing a state-mandated monopoly.
The Solution: Provide Accreditation Choice in North Carolina
To uphold quality and fairness, North Carolina must ensure Medicaid health plans can choose from multiple qualified accreditors. By promoting competition, we can maintain affordable, high-quality, and patient-centered health care for all.
