URAC Recognizes PDS as an Acceptable Alternative Method of Querying the NPDB

The Data Banks are pleased to announce that URAC joins The Joint Commission, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), in recognizing the Proactive Disclosure Service Prototype (PDS) as an acceptable alternative method of querying the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). URAC has indicated that the PDS may be used to verify information on a healthcare provider at initial credentialing (CR 1) and recredentialing (CR 15) as well as conduct ongoing monitoring of compliance with credentialing criteria [CR 14(a)] for the following: malpractice settlements or judgments paid on behalf of a practitioner; sanctions and limitations on licensure; Medicare/Medicaid participation and sanctions; hospital or other healthcare entity privileges; and membership in professional societies.

View the recognition letters from URAC, The Joint Commission, NCQA, and CARF.

November 2009 System Improvements

The Data Banks are continuously adding new system features and making improvements. The What's New page details recent enhancements and changes to the Data Banks' services.

Upcoming NPDB-HIPDB National Evaluation Study

Over the next few months, the Data Banks will conduct a national evaluation of the Data Banks. Queriers and reporters will be asked to participate in this evaluation to measure user satisfaction, the usefulness of the information in the Data Banks, and to obtain suggestions from users for improving the Data Banks. The NPDB-HIPDB Evaluation Study Overview provides additional information.

The Proactive Disclosure Service Prototype (PDS) Is
Now Available!

All eligible entities who query the Data Banks are invited to participate. The PDS was developed in response to a growing interest in on-going monitoring of health care practitioners. Entities that subscribe to the PDS will receive notification within one business day of the Data Banks' receipt of a report on any of their enrolled practitioners. See the PDS for more information and to sign up to participate.