Health Web Site Standards
© Source: URAC (American Accreditation HealthCare Commission)
URAC (also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare/Commission) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization founded in 1990 to establish standards for the managed care industry. URAC’s broad-based membership includes representation from all the constituencies affected by managed care — employers, consumers, regulators, health care providers, and the workers’ compensation and managed care industries. Member organizations of URAC participate in the development of standards, and are eligible to sit on the Board of Directors.
According to the draft document, these standards are intended for the accreditation of consumer-oriented Web-based electronic activities of health care organizations. Health care organizations include (but are not limited to):
- Health care financing organizations, such as health plans and health insurers;
- Health delivery organizations, such as hospitals and physician practices; and
- Health management organizations, such as third party administrators and specialty managed care organizations.
As of the date of the draft, URAC is developing the accreditation process it will use to verify compliance with these standards by health Web sites. However, URAC has tentatively made the following determinations:
- Health Web Site Accreditation will last for one year. (This is shorter than URAC’s usual accreditation period of two years. The rapidity with which Web sites change is the reason for the shorter period.)
- Accreditation reviews will consist of analysis of the Web site and related documentation and a visit by a reviewer to the primary physical site of Web site operations. (It is undecided whether the site visit will occur every accreditation cycle or every other accreditation cycle.)
- The accreditation process will also include review of the Web site by consumers.
- URAC will conduct random checks of accredited Web sites during the accreditation period.
- URAC will administer a mechanism for consumers to register concerns or complaints about accredited web sites. Depending on their severity or frequency, complaints may trigger additional review of the Web site, followed by appropriate corrective action.
According to Guy D'Andrea, Senior Vice President, "URAC is committed to having the broadest possible input into its standards development process. We strive to ensure that our accreditation is meaningful across the health care spectrum, including consumers, purchasers, providers, regulators, and the health care industry. Public input is a very important part of this process. We would greatly appreciate your comments on the draft standards. After the public comment period ends, URAC's Web Site Advisory Committee will review all the comments that have been submitted, and revise the standards accordingly."
Go To Page: 1 2
