Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Receives URAC Health Plan and Health Utilization Management Accreditation

PHOENIX, April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) announced today that it has been awarded Health Plan and Health Utilization Management Accreditation, Version 6.0 from URAC, a Washington, DC-based healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the healthcare industry.

URAC offers the largest array of accreditation programs in the United States assessing health plan operations, including but not limited to, network operations, healthcare practitioner credentialing systems, and medical management functions (such as utilization management, case management, disease management, and health call center services).

"The achievement of obtaining this level of URAC Accreditation further strengthens BCBSAZ's position as Arizona's trusted and effective health insurance leader," said Vishu Jhaveri, M.D, M.S.A, BCBSAZ's senior vice president and chief medical officer. "In securing a 100 percent application score from the URAC Committee Review, we've clearly demonstrated our commitment to providing the best value in health insurance and exceptional customer service."

BCBSAZ, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to nearly 1.2 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tucson and the East Valley, the company employs 1,300 Arizonans.

"By applying for and receiving Health Plan and Health Utilization Management Accreditation, BCBSAZ has demonstrated a commitment to quality healthcare," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and CEO. "Quality healthcare is crucial to our nation's welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards."

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting healthcare quality through accreditation and certification programs. URAC's standards keep pace with the rapid changes in the healthcare system, and provide a mark of distinction for healthcare organizations to demonstrate 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 setting meaningful standards for the healthcare industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona