Aetna Executive to Serve on URAC's PBM Standards Advisory Committee.HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AET AET Aetna, Inc. AET After Extra Time AET Actual Evapotranspiration AET Alliance for Environmental Technology AET Alpha-Ethyltryptamine AET Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc. ) today announced that its chief pharmacy officer will serve on a new national advisory committee to develop voluntary pharmacy benefits management (PBM PBM - play by mail. See play by electronic mail. ) standards. Mark Rubino, R.Ph., M.H.A., will serve on the Pharmacy Benefit Management A Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) is a third party administrator of prescription drug programs. They are primarily responsible for processing and paying prescription drug claims. Advisory Committee of URAC URAC Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (health care accreditation & certification) URAC University Recreation & Aquatic Centre Ltd (Australia) URAC Union Regional de Apoyo Campesino , a leading health care accreditation body that establishes standards and reviews for health plans and medical management organizations. The Advisory Committee will help URAC to develop the first-ever independent accreditation program designed to ensure quality in pharmacy benefits management. The Advisory Committee's goal is to create standards for four or more related accreditation programs for health plans and PBMs providing services to both Medicare and commercially insured populations. The committee will begin meeting this summer and will seek additional input through public comment opportunities. The standards will describe industry best practices for organizational integrity; clinical quality; benefits management programs; pharmacy network access; and consumer education and support. URAC's goal is to complete the development process and launch the accreditation programs in 2007. In addition to Rubino, the Advisory Committee will be made up of health care stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. including purchasers, regulators, consumers, health plans, PBMs and other expert voices in pharmacy management. Two subcommittees will also be formed to study quality gaps and medical management in prescription benefits management programs and to evaluate consumer empowerment through these programs. URAC reported that it has embarked on the effort "to enhance patient safety, assure timely access to prescription medications and to improve medication therapy management." URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. , 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. Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 29.9 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health Behavioral health was first used in the 1980's to name the combination of the fields mental health and substance abuse. As an example, an organization serving both mental health and substance abuse clients might refer to its practice as behavioral health or , group life, long-term care long-term care (LTC), n the provision of medical, social, and personal care services on a recurring or continuing basis to persons with chronic physical or mental disorders. and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com |
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