WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Employers and other purchasers of wellness services can begin 2009 with an objective means to differentiate among wellness companies. Today URAC announced the first five companies in the nation to achieve accreditation for its new Comprehensive Wellness program and that another six companies are in the process to achieve accreditation. Achievement of this status places URAC's seal of approval on accredited programs and demonstrates they have met or exceeded industry-recognized standards for wellness programs.
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Comprehensive Wellness is the first new accreditation program from URAC with integrated program evaluation and performance measurement components. The new Comprehensive Wellness standards and measures were developed by an expert advisory group of employers, health plans, consumer representatives, public benefits organizations, health care professional associations, providers and wellness companies.
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The companies that have achieved URAC Comprehensive Wellness accreditation are:
Several additional companies are in process to receive accreditation and will undergo review. Those companies are:
"URAC's Comprehensive Wellness standards reinforce and support the commitment that wellness organizations have to ensuring the health and productivity of America's workforce," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC's president and CEO. "As employers look to prevention and wellness as a means to improve employee health and reduce costs, URAC's standards offer a breadth of focus beyond whether the company offers an assessment tool or a particular intervention. Accredited companies must demonstrate a comprehensive approach -- that they use evidence-based tools and interventions, that they support consumers with information they need, and that they have the ability to integrate services, a necessary component in today's environment."
About URAC
URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is well-known as a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation and education programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in establishing meaningful quality measures for the entire health care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.
-- American Institute for Preventive Medicine -- Healthyroads, Inc. -- Healthways, Inc. -- SHPS Health Management Solutions, Inc. -- Health Management Corporation
SOURCE URAC
