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NCQA offers a variety of information and resources, including reports, published research, white papers and newsletters.

Public Policy

To fulfill its mission “to improve the quality of health care,” NCQA works with federal and state lawmakers and executive agency personnel. NCQA Public Policy team provides information and comment letters for its government partners. Federal work includes on Medicare Advantage plans, health information technology, and on delivery system reforms such as Patient Centered Medical Home. The Public Policy Department works to educate state and federal policymakers on NCQA’s programs and how they can support health care policies. NCQA also work in coalition with other involved organizations to advance policies that will improve the quality and efficiency of the health care system.

Federal Policy

At the federal level, NCQA Accreditation and performance measures are valued components of health care policy. The new health care reform law has many provisions that connect to NCQA’s mission and capabilities. The law builds on many of NCQA’s successful activities over the past 20 years and challenges us to take more steps to work with federal and state policymakers to improve quality and value through measurement, accountability and transparency.

Medicare Advantage
The federal Medicare program recognizes NCQA Accreditation as meeting many of its central quality standards for MCOs and PPOs.
Federal Employee Health Benefits Program
U.S. Office of Personnel Management requires its fee-for-service plans offering PPOs to collect and report quality performance measures.

State Policy

State Recognition of NCQA
Many states now recognize NCQA Accreditation as helping health plans meet state managed care requirements.
Medicaid Guidance for States
NCQA’s Medicaid Managed Care Toolkit provides guidance on how NCQA's programs can support accreditation and can be incorporated into state Medicaid agencies.
Quality Solutions Group
The Quality Solutions Group (QSG) provides assistance tailored to individual organizations and agencies from both the public and private sectors.
NCQA's Health Plan Report Cards
Search NCQA’s public scorecard of accredited health plans and recognized providers by state.

2009 State of Health Care Quality

The 2009 report provides a complete analysis of the clinical performance of over 970 health plans serving more than 116 million Americans. Read the full report.