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Raising the Bar on Quality

Union carpenters know about quality standards. Among the most common are standards developed by the International Organization for Standards (ISO). Testing standards for materials and building techniques come from the International Code Council. Engineering groups like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers are active in developing standards of their own. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the dominant standard for safety on the job.

Healthcare has its own quality standards. National Healthcare Quality Week is a perfect time to highlight the quality of wellness and health management programs offered to Carpenters and dependents.

NCQA

Our condition management programs offered by Nurtur help patients manage diabetes, asthma, heart disease, heart failure, COPD, and chronic lower-back pain. Participants can be confident these are quality programs because they are fully accredited by the National Council for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

Since its founding in 1990, NCQA has been a central figure in driving improvement throughout the health care system and elevating the issue of healthcare quality to the top of the national agenda. NCQA builds consensus around important healthcare quality issues by working with large employers, policymakers, doctors, patients and health plans to decide what’s important, how to measure it, and how to promote improvement.

The NCQA stamp of approval is a reliable indicator that an organization is well-managed and delivers high‑quality care and service. Accredited health plans face a rigorous set of more than 60 standards and must report on their performance in more than 40 areas in order to earn NCQA accreditation.

URAC

The condition management programs from Nurtur are also fully accredited by the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC).

An independent, non-profit organization, URAC is a leader in promoting healthcare quality through accreditation and certification programs. URAC's standards keep pace with the rapid changes in the healthcare system, and provide a mark of distinction for healthcare organizations that demonstrate their commitment to quality and accountability.

In addition to Nurtur programs, Carpenters health plan members have access to other URAC-accredited wellness and health management programs.

The Ask Mayo Clinic nurse line offered by Mayo Clinic bears the prestigious URAC seal of approval.

URAC endorses utilization management services provided by Qualis Health. Utilization management helps participants make the best use of their healthcare benefits so they receive the right care, in the right setting, at the right time.

Qualis Health is also fully accredited by URAC for case management services. When you’re injured or seriously ill, a case manager can help you navigate the complex healthcare system so you receive high-quality, patient-centered, cost-effective care.

Committed to quality

Carpenters Trusts of Western Washington is an active member of the Puget Sound Health Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality and affordability the region. A partnership of employers, physicians, hospitals, patients, health plans, and others from the region, the Alliance produces a Community Checkup report that measures the quality of care provided by hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers in the Puget Sound region. Through its Own Your Health campaign, the Alliance provides trustworthy information, helpful tips and handy tools to help consumers make decisions that offer the best outcomes and the best value for their healthcare dollars.