NCQA Awards Full Accreditation to ValueOptions® North Carolina Commercial Service Center

NORFOLK, Va., July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueOptions Inc.®, the nation's largest independent behavioral health and wellness company, announced today that its North Carolina Commercial Service Center received Full Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).  The center has been accredited by NCQA since 2008; its current three-year NCQA accreditation runs through June 2, 2014.  

NCQA is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations (MBHOs). NCQA MBHO Accreditation is a nationally recognized evaluation that purchasers, regulators and consumers can use to assess managed behavioral health organizations. NCQA MBHO Accreditation evaluates how well a health plan manages all parts of its delivery system -- physicians, hospitals, other providers and administrative services -- in order to continuously improve health care for its members.

"ValueOptions® MBHO Accreditation is proof that it's an organization which works hard to coordinate care, ensure access and provide good customer support for members," said Margaret E. O'Kane, NCQA president. "It's a sign that ValueOptions® is focused on improving the behavioral health of its members."

NCQA MBHO Accreditation is a voluntary review process.  NCQA reviews include rigorous on-site and off-site evaluations conducted by a team of physicians and managed care experts. A national oversight committee of physicians and behavioral health providers analyzes the team's findings and assigns an accreditation level based on the MBHO's performance compared to NCQA standards.

Full Accreditation is granted for a period of three years to those plans that have excellent programs for continuous quality improvement and meet NCQA's rigorous standards.

NCQA MBHO Accreditation standards are developed with input from employers, health plans, state and federal regulators, MBHOs and other experts and are demanding.  Standards are set high to encourage MBHOs to continuously enhance their quality.

"NCQA Accreditation is an industry benchmark for quality care and patient safety," said Dr. Hal Levine, chief medical officer for ValueOptions®. "A Full Accreditation validates the excellent quality of services we provide our members and it reflects our promise to provide them with access to the highest quality care."

NCQA MBHO Accreditation standards are intended to help organizations achieve the highest level of performance possible, reduce patient risk for untoward outcomes and create an environment of continuous improvement.

There are approximately 60 standards for quality included in the following categories:

• Quality Management and Improvement
• Utilization Management
• Credentialing and Recredentialing
• Members' Rights and Responsibilities
• Preventive Behavioral Health Care Services

"Achieving NCQA Accreditation reflects a great deal of consistently outstanding work by a large number of ValueOptions® employees," explained Larry Earle, North Carolina regional vice president. "It is gratifying to know that our staff's efforts to produce quality work and exceptional results on a constant basis have been recognized by NCQA."

ValueOptions® North Carolina service center opened in 1992. The center's three-year NCQA accreditation runs through June 2, 2014.

About ValueOptions®

ValueOptions Inc.® is the nation's largest independent behavioral health and wellness company, providing services to more than 24 million individuals through a variety of contracts with state and county agencies and additionally, with health plans and employers. ValueOptions® specializes in management for all behavioral health issues and promotes health and wellness through innovative programs. The mission of ValueOptions® is to help people live their lives to the fullest potential. For more information, visit www.valueoptions.com.

SOURCE ValueOptions Inc.