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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It is acceptable to use larger organization-level documented processes or policies and procedures to meet applicable requirements (e.g., for HE 1, Element A, factor 1) if the entity seeking Accreditation demonstrates that it follows the same processes. However, the entity seeking Accreditation must provide documentation that pertains specifically to its organization for requirements that require action or implementation of such processes (e.g., for HE 1, Element A, factors 2 and 3).
HEA 2024
An example of expected outcome/prognosis is typically clinically based. Expected outcome/prognosis is what the expected outcome of complying with the care plan would be. You can think about it as if a patient follows all instructions of the care plan what you are expecting to happen (e.g., their A1C/BMI/stroke risk etc. will decrease). Generally, we see practices differentiate treatment outcome/prognosis as a more clinical metric, for instance lowering A1C by 2 points etc.
Treatment goals are more lifestyle choices or outcomes for the patient, such as eating more vegetables or getting enough exercise to be able to walk around the block etc.
All of these elements are incorporated into the care plan: a problem list, expected outcome/prognosis, treatment goals, medication management and a schedule to review and revise the plan, as needed.
PCMH 2017
There has been an update to the PCMH 2023 annual reporting requirements. AR TC 1 ( Staff Involvement in Quality Improvement) and AR CC 1 ( Hospital and ED Coordination) will now require additional documentation to demonstrate practices are meeting requirements. NCQA is requesting a documented process and evidence of implementation in addition to attestation for this criteria. All practices will have the ability to upload necessary documentation in Q-PASS by the end August. Until then, your RP manager may reach out to request additional documents.
PCMH 2017
The KED measure provides actionable information for chronic kidney disease identification and management. General guidance from our experts is that tests included in the measure should align with guideline recommendations from the American Diabetes Association and the National Kidney Foundation. For this reason, only quantitative uACR tests are allowed and semi-quantitative tests are not considered measure compliant. Removing LOINC code 32294-1 from the value set maintains these coding parameters.
HEDIS 2024
No. Members with documentation of “hysterectomy” and documentation indicating that they no longer need Pap testing/cervical cancer screening must remain in the measure for MY 2023 reporting. Members with documentation of a “vaginal pap smear” and documentation of “hysterectomy” must also remain in the measure for HEDIS MY 2023 reporting. This is because the documentation must match the clinical specificity of the codes in the value sets and there are no codes that are clinically synonymous with these examples.
There must be evidence of a hysterectomy with no residual cervix, cervical agenesis or acquired absence of cervix in order to meet required exclusion criteria for MY 2023 reporting.
Documented “vaginal hysterectomy” or “complete/total/radical hysterectomy” that matches a definition in applicable value sets may be used to meet criteria, subject to auditor approval.
HEDIS 2023
Yes. Organizations may use an API to access data from a primary or approved source, and must provide documentation that the API collects information only from primary or approved sources.
Organizations that use an API must still meet the “Appropriate documentation” requirements in CVO 1, Element A, including documentation that the organization's staff reviewed the information.
As noted in an FAQ from February 15, 2023, use of another entity’s software to collect credentialing information is not considered delegation unless the entity also reviews the information on the organization’s behalf.
CVO 2024
No. Only addressing the UM denial notification to the provider does not meet the intent of the requirement. The UM denial notification must also be addressed to the attending/treating practitioner.
If information on the attending/treating practitioner was not provided with the request, the organization attempts to identify the practitioner and documents its efforts to identify the practitioner. If the organization is not able to obtain the name of the attending/treating practitioner, the practitioner’s name is not required. In such a case, the organization must address the notification "To the Attention of the Attending/Treating Practitioner.”
For urgent concurrent decisions, the organization may inform the hospital Utilization Review department staff without attempting to identify the attending/treating practitioner, with the understanding that staff will inform the practitioner.
In all cases, if the practitioner is not known, the organization must address the notification “To the Attention of the Attending/Treating Practitioner”; the practitioner’s name is not required.
HP 2023
Yes. Organizations may use an API to access data from a primary or approved source, and must provide documentation that the API collects information only from primary or approved sources.
Organizations that use an API must still meet the “Appropriate documentation” requirements in CR 1, Element A, including documentation that the organization's staff reviewed the information.
As noted in an FAQ from February 15, 2023, use of another entity’s software to collect credentialing information is not considered delegation unless the entity also reviews the information on the organization’s behalf.
HP 2023
