Accreditation or certification is a process involving the setting of standards and then verifying that those standards have been attained. Accreditation also helps to build an ethic of continuous improvement into the organization.
Benefits to NIA Clients when NIA achieves compliance awards:
By NIA taking the step to have outside auditors review our Utilization Management process, NIA has demonstrated that compliance is a corporate priority. NIA has volunteered to bring in a third-party to provide objectivity in reviewing our company's Utilization Management processes, Privacy and Security work. This objective assessment by a neutral party brings credibility in the eyes of our current customers or our future customers. Credibility is gained when the accrediting or certifying agency is a reputable and well-known organization in the Health Care industry.
By using an outside auditor, NIA is submitting to a review by experts using their knowledge of the current industry best practices. The award standards provide our clients with a national benchmark by which to judge NIA's Utilization Management, Privacy, and Security activities. This benchmark represents to both you and to others, where NIA falls in comparison.
The narrow focus of the standard - for example on HIPAA Business Associates for Privacy and Security practices - provides the benefit of giving you, the NIA clients, who are the Covered Entities - a satisfactory assurance that your Business Associate is meeting or even exceeding the regulatory requirements. In this process, you also have the benefit of eliminating portions of oversight review of your partner, and this reduces your overhead costs.
By achieving the awards, NIA demonstrates (1) the implementation of up to date policies and procedures, (2) the launch of specific guidelines for daily operations, (3) a high level of staff professionalism and self-esteem, 4) the operation is in compliance with national standards by this means demonstrating to interested parties that the organization is operating at exemplary professional levels.
