Utilization Review: Information on External Review Organizations

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed utilization review organizations (URO), focusing on: (1) the size and ownership of URO; (2) the professional qualifications of staff involved in utilization review decisions; (3) the complexity of decisions made by various staff; (4) appeal procedures; (5) clinical review criteria used by URO; and (6) quality assurance procedures implemented to ensure adherence to company directives.