URAC Core 16 -- v. 2.1 revision

Version 2.1 of Core amends subsection (a) of Core 16, a primary element of this 4-weighted standard. The original language was:

Prior to delegating functions to another entity, the organization: (N/A)

(a) Conducts a review of the potential contractor’s policies and procedures and capacity to perform delegated functions; (Primary)

The new, v. 2.1 language now reads:

Prior to delegating functions to another entity, the organization: (N/A)
(a) Establishes and implements a process to conduct a review of the potential contractor’s policies and procedures and capacity to perform delegated functions; (Primary)

This seems to echo what I said in an earlier blog, that even if you are doing something correctly, URAC prefers that you also have a policy and procedure that instructs you to do it correctly. In this case, this means that not only must you conduct a review of the potential conctractor's P&Ps and ability to perform the tasks you delegate to them, you must have that review be part of a process that you've implemented. This assures URAC that it is not a one-time thing, but that, instead, you'll be conducting these reviews on all future contractors.

As a practical matter, this means that your documentation must not only include evidence that you've conducted such reviews on your contractors, but also have a policy and procedure that clearly outlines that required process.