FAQ Directory

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about NCQA’s various programs. If you don’t see what you are looking for in one of the entries below, you can  ask a question through My NCQA.

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5.29.2018 CC 14 Do hospitalization and ED visit data from the health plan meet the requirements of this criterion?

A practice may use health plan data to identify patients if it is provided at least weekly and if at least 75 percent of the patient population is represented by the health plan. The practice may use data from more than one health plan as long as the plans collectively represent at least 75 percent of the practice population.
 

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.29.2018 QI 06 Does the CAHPS PCMH Survey meet both QI 04 and QI 06?

The CAHPS PCMH Survey meets the requirement for QI 06 but only partially meets QI 04. The CAHPS PCMH Survey only meets the quantitative data requirement (QI 04A) for this criterion.  
 

Note: No modifications to the survey questions or length may be made. 

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.29.2018 QI 04 Can the practice choose to show reports from either quantitative data or qualitative data?

No. The practice needs to demonstrate that they collect both quantitative and qualitative data to meet the requirement.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.29.2018 QI 06 Is CAHPS a requirement for this measure?

No. Any standardized (non-proprietary) survey administered through measurement initiatives providing benchmark analysis external to the practice organization may be used to meet QI 06. Please note that the practice must administer the entire standardized survey (not just sections) so that it can be compared to available benchmarks.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.29.2018 QI 04B May practices use the “comments” section in the patient experience survey to meet this requirement?

No. Comment sections or “free text” questions on a patient experience survey do not meet the requirement as a method of collecting qualitative feedback from patients and their families.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.29.2018 QI 12 How do practices assess the effectiveness of improvement actions?

Assessing effectiveness of improvement actions includes remeasurement to compare results over time and evaluation of what is driving change. Results may be quantitative (numerical data that demonstrate performance and can be compared to benchmarks) or qualitative (conceptual data that describe why performance is high or low), but practices must look at the goals set, actions taken to improve and previous or baseline results.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 02 Is there a percentage threshold requirement for the 9 items within KM 02

No. The evidence required for KM 02 does not require a report. The practice should outline how it collects and documents this information in its documented process. For evidence of implementation, the practice can demonstrate its process during the virtual check-in, which may include sharing where the information is documented in the patient record.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 12 How many activities are required for each item within KM 12?

The practice must demonstrate evidence (i.e., patient list/report and outreach materials) of a service reminder provided within the past year for 3 of the 4 categories/items within KM 12. After achieving Recognition, practices are expected to report on reminders on their Annual Report.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 12 A What are examples of adult preventive services or screenings?

Adult practices may identify lists of patients needing screenings (e.g., mammograms, colorectal screenings), check-up visits, annual lab testing or well-woman visits. 

Preventive measures must encompass a practice’s entire appropriate population (not only patients with chronic conditions [KM 12 C]). The intent of reminding patients of preventive services is for practices to use their systems to identify specific groups of patients in need of services and to improve the quality of care for all patients in the practice.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 16 May practices provide new prescription information only for medications relevant to a specific disease of interest?

No. The requirement to provide new information applies to all new medications prescribed to a patient, especially for patients identified in Concept CM as needing care management. Patients may have multiple comorbidities and medications, so it is crucial that they receive information about all medications prescribed to them

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 16 Do excerpts from medical records indicating that new medications and side effects were reviewed with the patient/family/caregiver meet the requirement?

No. For KM 16, the practice must both (1) generate a report that demonstrates more than 50 percent of patients have documentation in their medical record that they were assessed and provided education on new prescriptions and (2) demonstrate evidence of the process, which could include showing a patient medical record during virtual review. It is up to the practice to determine the best method for sharing new medication information with patients, and the practice should consider patient language, literacy and health literacy in providing information or materials.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 01D What are examples of social determinants of health?

Social determinants of health are conditions in the environment that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks and include:

  • Availability of resources to meet daily needs.
  • Access to educational, economic and job opportunities.
  • Public safety, social support.
  • Social norms and attitudes.
  • Exposure to crime, violence and social disorder.
  • Socioeconomic conditions.
  • Residential segregation.

Source: Healthy People 2020: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health.
 

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017