Need Help Managing Your PCMH Journey?

August 24, 2020 · NCQA Communications

We all need a little advice sometimes. That’s why each health center in the process of attaining NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition is assigned an evaluator.

What’s an evaluator?

It’s an expert on the PCMH transformation process. The evaluator leads your virtual check-ins and is available for all of your questions and concerns throughout the process.

Check out this list of popular PCMH questions.

Common PCMH Questions

We conducted Q&As with three NCQA PCMH evaluators to answer some of the most common questions about transformation. Check out the highlights are below:

Q: What can health centers do to prepare for virtual reviews and submission deadlines?

A: Your health center will have three virtual reviews with the evaluator. To get the most out of these reviews, develop a timeline ahead of the first meeting that focuses on all reviews. In the timeline, aim to complete all requirements for transformation by the second virtual review. This will give the evaluator time to provide feedback that can be discussed in the final review. Read the full answer on the NCQA website.

Q: How can centers manage the transformation process for multiple sites?

A: If you are looking to have additional sites earn Recognition, you can streamline the transformation process and reduce the time commitment. Get more tips here.

Q: How can health centers prepare and organize the transformation process in case of PCMH staff turnover?

A: Health centers tend to have a high staff turnover rate. While this can sometimes make the transformation process more challenging, there are some things you can do to ensure that staff transitions don’t cause setbacks.

Work with a Certified Content Expert (CCE) to maintain continuity in the transformation process. If this isn’t possible because of cost issues, have at least two staff attend NCQA transformation classes. Alternatively, many state Primary Care Associations have practice coaches and other resources for centers that utilize PCMH CCEs at no additional cost. And stay organized: Maintain team minutes and a clearly structured, shared file system so you know exactly where documents are stored. Get a full list of tips on the NCQA website.

PCMH transformation is a team effort!

Q: What do successfully transformed centers have in common?

A: Successfully transformed health centers typically have a consultant CCE and/or someone on staff with updated PCMH training. CCEs have experience with the PCMH process and are aware of transformation’s expectations. You probably have CCEs in your area! But if you don’t have the resources to consult with a CCE, NCQA offers webinars and in-person trainings. Read the full answer on the NCQA website.

Q: What are health centers’ most common questions or concerns?

A: Health centers are often confused about prevalidation, corporate attestation and accelerated renewal attestation in Q-PASS. These processes can save a lot of time, so it’s important to complete them correctly. Find some helpful tips for navigating these processes on the NCQA website.

Q: What typical roadblocks do centers usually see, and how can they be avoided?

A: PCMH transformation requires patience and a commitment of resources. It’s common for health centers to try to save time by cutting corners—but that can make the journey more difficult in the long term. Here are some tips for avoiding roadblocks:

Dedicate time to looking through NCQA PCMH resources. Browse the HRSA section of NCQA.org—it includes a list of upcoming trainings, webinars and on-demand tutorials. If you can’t find what you are looking for, contact your PCMH Representative via the “Ask a Question” function in Q-PASS. If you haven’t been assigned an evaluator, call NCQA Customer Service. For more tips on avoiding roadblocks, visit the NCQA website.

If you have a question about PCMH, I bet we have an answer. These responses just scratch the surface of the information available on NCQA’s website. We encourage to check out the resources. Read the full responses to the questions.

There is no such thing as a stupid question. Get your questions answered. Get the help you need.