TCCN Members,  

We are excited to announce that The Children’s Care Network, Inc. (TCCN) has earned accreditation for Clinical Integration from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC). We are one of only seven organizations in the U.S. to hold this designation, which recognizes a commitment to quality care, enhanced processes, patient safety and improved outcomes. You can read the press release here.

TCCN’s leadership made the decision to pursue URAC accreditation due to our confidence in how far the network has come over the years, with the knowledge that more formalization of processes would provide great value to the organization. As stated by URAC, “Clinically integrated networks (CINs) are legal structures that facilitate healthcare provider collaboration. There is no standard legal definition of a CIN, but it is generally thought of as a network of interdependent and cooperative providers who continuously evaluate and modify their clinical practices in accordance with agreed-upon protocols to control costs and improve quality.” 

Past Federal Trade Commission opinions and case precedent suggest that a CIN must demonstrate five key elements: 

• Physician responsibility: Active participation in the CIN through committees, training, and adhering to clinical guidelines 
• Physician investment: Monetary investment such as IT infrastructure and/or nonmonetary investment such as time spent on network initiatives 
• Physician accountability: Mechanisms are in place to promote adherence to clinical requirements or exclude physicians who are noncompliant 
• Outcome measurements: Ability to measure outcomes through clinical metrics or benchmarks 
• Non-exclusivity: Permitting member physicians to contract independently with payors 

The URAC Clinically Integrated Network Accreditation signals to regulatory and contracting entities that TCCN has met these widely accepted clinical integration standards. Accreditation verifies that an organization not only does quality work, but also has sound financial, administrative, operational, and oversight practices. This third-party verification can inspire the confidence stakeholders and entities need to support an organization as it continues to grow. This accreditation has confirmed the strengths of our network while providing a roadmap for further advancement of integration capabilities.  

We will be sharing important information over the coming months about where the network is headed next and how we will continue to support you and your patients. 

Congratulations to all of you for making this accreditation possible. Your commitment to providing high quality care and putting patients first is noticed and celebrated. Thank you for all of the ways you care for kids in our communities!  

Best,  

Brad Weselman, MD 

Executive Director, The Children’s Care Network