By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    magnesium water can be good for your health but you can't have too much
    Is Drinking Magnesium Water Good for Your Health?
    October 17, 2023
    common misconseptions about brain injuries
    4 Common Myths and Misunderstandings About Brain Injuries
    February 5, 2023
    get a career in medical device sales
    What Are the Benefits of Attending Medical Sales College?
    April 10, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Elective Coronary Stenting: A Case in Context
    August 3, 2011
    PSA screening: Does It or Doesn’t It?
    March 16, 2012
    Rick Perry Needs To Make Up His Mind
    September 19, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Hot Off the Presses: URAC Specialty Pharmacy Updates
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hot Off the Presses: URAC Specialty Pharmacy Updates
BusinessPolicy & Law

Hot Off the Presses: URAC Specialty Pharmacy Updates

Abby Norman
Abby Norman
Share
0 Min Read
URAC Specialty Pharmacy
SHARE

URAC Specialty PharmacyURAC accreditation is highly coveted, especially when it comes to Specialty Pharmacy. As such, URAC recently released Revised Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation standards!

Highlights of these latest URAC Specialty Pharmacy updates include:

  • Updated performance measures for Specialty Pharmacy and Mail Service Pharmacy
  • Clarified the circumstances under which disclosure of the pharmacy service pricing structure is required
  • Made it mandatory for organizations to be able to handle clinical issues 24/7, while eliminating the requirement to respond to claims-related inquiries
  • Updated and enhanced telephone performance monitoring to align with current industry standards, including average blockage rates
  • Expanded consumer safety requirements, including validation of the cold chain distribution process
  • Enhanced quality management program design to include quarterly reporting to a quality management or other appropriate committee
  • For the “Patient Management” section of Specialty Pharmacy:
    • Identified all instances where medication reconciliation needs to be addressed
    • Require active facilitation of participation for “at risk” individuals
    • Specified communication and documentation requirements for coordination of care
    • Clarified the areas to address to demonstrate Patient Management program value

One major topic of discussion is that of mail-order pharmacy. Advisory group chairman, Kim Caldwell, RPh, said of the changes, “It is vitally important for any pharmacy in the specialty drug business to invest in the infrastructure to support the unique requirements necessary to dispense, monitor, and manage specialty medications with their patients, their health plans, and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) partners. These proposed standards are designed to align the specialty and mail order pharmacy best practices with the growth of the specialty drug boom to improve patient outcomes, reduce adverse drug events, increase medication adherence, and minimize medication waste.”

Contents
URAC accreditationHighlights of these latest URAC Specialty Pharmacy updates include:Below are five steps to achieving and maintaining URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation.

5 Steps to URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation

Through accreditation, a pharmacy can exemplify to third-party payers and manufacturers that they have the resources and dedication to abide by their preset standards. Most contract agreements now require URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation as part of their relationship with pharmacies, so getting accredited opens up the doors for a pharmacy to more business relationships.

Below are five steps to achieving and maintaining URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation.

  1. A pharmacy’s relationship begins with URAC when the business enters an agreement and pays the necessary fees for accreditation.
  2. At this point, the business submits documentation of their current state of adherence to standards. They may be ready for accreditation, or, they may need to make a few adjustments first.
  3. In the third step, the accrediting body responds by evaluating how well the business is currently meeting the standards and what they need to do to improve. They may also request more information on which to base their decision, and this information needs to be sent within a predetermined time frame in order to qualify.
  4. The accrediting body is now ready to do an onsite evaluation. During this time, they will assess the business’s adherence to current policy and procedures.
  5. Finally, the accreditation decision is made. If the business becomes accredited, they will require periodic reviews by the accrediting body to maintain. If they are not ready to become accredited, they can make the necessary changes and submit again.
TAGGED:pharmacyURAC
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Abby Norman
My name is Abby Norman and I am a healthcare blogger. With over 10 years of experience in the medical field, I have developed a passion for helping others understand the complexities of healthcare.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

Kids, Energy Drinks Don’t Mix

March 8, 2011

Video Released of TEDMED Talk on Focused Ultrasound

December 9, 2011

Big Defense Contractors Take Aim at Healthcare

June 16, 2011

Is Salt a Public Health Danger?

December 29, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?