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ValueOptions Receives URAC Utilization Management Accreditation. Company Successfully Maintains Accreditation Since 1999

ValueOptions announced today that they have been awarded Health Utilization Management accreditation by URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. URACs Health Utilization Management accreditation standards provide assurance to patients, providers, purchasers, regulators and employers that the practices of the organization performing these services are fair and equitable for all parties.

Norfolk, VA (HRmarketer/PRWEB ) May 13, 2005 -- ValueOptions announced today that they have been awarded Health Utilization Management accreditation by URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. URACs Health Utilization Management accreditation standards provide assurance to patients, providers, purchasers, regulators and employers that the practices of the organization performing these services are fair and equitable for all parties.

We are proud that ValueOptions has received full accreditation by URAC for the fourth consecutive time," said Michele Alfano, chief operating officer of ValueOptions. This reaffirms our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards for behavioral health care."

By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation, ValueOptions has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care," said Gary Carneal, URAC president and CEO. Quality behavioral health care is crucial to our nations welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards."

The accreditation is for the following ValueOptions service centers:

• California Service Center, Long Beach, CA
• Colorado Service Center, Colorado Springs, CO
• Consulting Health Care Systems/OPTIONS
• Empire Service Center, Troy, NY
• Health Management Strategies/Kansas Service Center, Topeka, KS
• Great Lakes Service Center, Southfield, MI
• National Capital Service Center, Reston, VA
• New York City Service Center, New York, NY
• North Carolina Service Center, Research Triangle Park, NC
• Northeast Service Center, Troy, NY
• Tampa Regional Service Center, Tampa, FL
• Texas ESD Service Center, Coppell, TX
• Texas PSD Service Center, Coppell, TX

The URAC Health Utilization Management standards establish consistency in UM processes. The standards ensure that appropriately trained clinical personnel conduct and oversee the utilization review process, that a reasonable and timely appeals process is in place, and that medical decisions are based on valid clinical criteria.

About URAC
URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is well-known as a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation and certification 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.

About ValueOptions
One of the nations premier behavioral health care management organizations, ValueOptions serves nearly 23 million people across the country through publicly funded and commercial contracts with employee assistance, mental health and substance abuse, behavioral disability management and integrated programs. The company is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.valueoptions.com.

For more information, please contact:

Tom Warburton
Director of Marketing
ValueOptions
(757) 459-5215

This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.

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