MLS RECEIVES URAC INDEPENDENT REVIEW ORGANIZATION ACCREDITATION

SOUTHFIELD, MI, FEBRUARY 4, 2009: The MLS Group of Companies, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded Independent Review Organization Accreditation from URAC, a Washington DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. This accreditation further indicates the MLS commitment to providing credible independent medical assessments to the industry it serves.

“With the URAC accreditation, we at MLS want our message to be that our customers and their clients can have the highest level of confidence in the quality, integrity and unbiased fairness in our independent assessments”, G. Joseph Schimizzi, President of the MLS Group of Companies, Inc.

The URAC accreditation is a model program that requires a continuum of quality improvement policies and procedures. Its purpose is to assure the highest possible standard in health care services including independent medical assessments.

“By applying for and receiving Independent Review Organization Accreditation, MLS Group of Companies has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care” said Alan P. Spielman, URAC President and CEO. “Quality health care is crucial to our nation’s welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards.”

Independent Review Organization Accreditation Program Overview

These URAC standards assure that organizations that perform this service are free from conflicts of interest, establish qualifications for physician reviewers/examiners, address medical necessity and experimental treatment issues, have reasonable time periods for standard and expedited reviews, and appeals processes. An organization with this URAC accreditation strives for a fair and impartial review process that is of benefit to both patients and physicians with grievances.

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting health care quality through accreditation and certification programs. The URAC standards keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a mark of distinction for health care organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful standards for the health care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.