More Insurers Are Requiring Urgent Care Center Accreditation

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield in New York are the latest insurers to require that urgent care centers become accredited before contracting, or as a requirement to maintain in-network status. As noted in a recent posting by Becker’s Hospital Review, such policies highlight growing demand for healthcare providers in all settings to demonstrate both value and quality care—both of which have long been touted as attributes of well-run urgent care centers. To attain accreditation, urgent care centers must meet nationally recognized criteria to provide high-level care, as well as standards and best practices for safety, quality, and scope of services. In addition to being a self-evident stamp of approval, accreditation demonstrates that the center operators are committed to advancing the practice of urgent care medicine in the continuum of care. The Becker’s article also points out that some medical malpractice insurers carriers are offering organizations a risk management credit on their premium that ranges from 2.5% to 15%. The Urgent Care Association is among the organizations that offer accreditation programs.