The CMS on Monday renewed URAC's authority to serve as an accreditation body for Medicare Advantage plans for Medicare Part C.
An accreditation body can act as an enforcer of Medicare rules and regulations. A healthcare provider or payer can participate in Medicare if they meet the body's requirements.
URAC accredits plans for quality improvement and confidentiality of enrollee records.
The company is one of two, alongside the National Committee for Quality Assurance, that offers accreditation for Medicare Advantage plans.
The CMS renewed URAC's accreditation authority for another six years. It was first approved as an accreditation body in 2012, but its term lapsed in May 2018. The agency didn't say why it took a year to renew the application.
The CMS first proposed renewal of the accreditation body back in December 2018.
The decision to renew URAC's authority comes as the CMS has taken a sharp look at conflicts of interest and other issues surrounding accreditation bodies. The agency proposed a rule last month to give the CMS earlier notice if a change in ownership occurs in an accreditation body.
The agency also issued a request for information last year on how an accrediting body establishes and discloses relationships with providers to whom it sells both consulting services and accreditation.
