What entity establishes a utilization management program and performs external reviews?

The correct choice is that a utilization review organization (URO) is responsible for establishing a utilization management program and performing external reviews. A URO focuses specifically on evaluating the necessity and efficiency of healthcare services, treatment plans, and procedures. By conducting these external reviews, the organization helps ensure that providers follow established guidelines and best practices, improving the quality and efficiency of care while managing costs.

Utilization management involves assessing whether a patient's treatment is appropriate and necessary given their medical condition, which is a core function of a URO. Through these processes, UROs help to identify overutilization or underutilization of medical services, which can significantly impact both patient outcomes and healthcare expenditures.

In this context, other entities like PPOs, HMOs, and POS plans may partake in utilization management to some degree, but they typically operate within their own networks and are focused more on providing healthcare services rather than independently reviewing and managing the necessity of those services on a broader scale. Therefore, while the other options have roles in healthcare delivery, they do not specifically function as independent organizations dedicated to utilization reviews in the same capacity as a URO does.