URAC Declares Best Practices Programs in Healthcare

By Carolyn J Dawson

TMCnet Contributor

 

 

URAC recently announced the frontrunners of 2012 Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Empowerment and Protection Awards. Healthcare management programs showcasing the finest enhancements in healthcare with an aim to benefit customers are honored by these awards. The list of award winners was declared at URAC's 2012 Quality Summit and Award Program, which was held during October 9-11 in San Francisco, CA (News - Alert).

 

In a statement, Alan P. Spielman, president and CEO, URAC said, "Our Best Practices Awards are a unique celebration of innovative health care management programs. These organizations have implemented leading initiatives that have made a difference in the lives of the consumers they serve with demonstrable results that matter. This year's winners are recognized for their leadership in pursuing practices to advance consumer empowerment and protection in an exceptional, measurable and reproducible way, and delivering on the promise of a quality health care system that puts consumers first."

 

A jury of impressive, autonomous professionals evaluated the entries. These professionals included well-known specialists in program appraisal, care organization, health information technology, employer and purchaser resolution making and patient wellbeing. Programs were awarded in the groups of Consumer Decision-Making and Consumer Health Improvement.

 

In the category, Consumer Decision-Making, a Platinum award was awarded to OptumRx for its text messaging program that provides reminders related to medications. Centene Corporation was also honored for its Asthma Solutions for a Managed Medicaid Population.

 

ASPIRE from CECity, which incorporates Quality Metrics with Focused Interventions to enhance observance, won a Gold award for Health Information/Decision Support. WellPoint was awarded Gold in Health Management for its Medicare Advantage Stars Outbound Call Program

 

Radiation Calculator from National Imaging Associates and Magellan Health Services, Inc.; and Provider Outcomes Dashboard from Magellan Health Services of Arizona and Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services received honorable mention awards for Health Information/Decision Support. Youth in Transition Prevention Program from Magellan Behavioral Care of Iowa, Inc.; and Member Scheduling for Diagnostic Imaging from CareCore National, LLC were honored for Health Management. Bridges To Health from Family Health Network, Inc. and PsycHealth, Ltd.; and MOMS Program from Willamette Valley Providers Health Authority were honored for Health Plans and Health Networks.