Plans can look in Appendix 1: Standards Points for 2013, in the 2013 Standards and Guidelines, for a summary table of approximate points for each Evaluation Option. Appendix 2: HEDIS and CAHPS Points contains a summary table for approximate points for HEDIS/CAHPS measures. Appendix 3: Points by Reporting Category contains a summary table of points by reporting category.
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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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8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Standards and Guidelines Where can plans get information about standards points, HEDIS/CAHPS points for accreditation and reporting categories points?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics Which Evaluation Option should plans choose if they have not been accredited by NCQA?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics Must NCQA-Accredited plans go through the Renewal Evaluation Option?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics What is the difference between an Evaluation Option and a survey?
An Evaluation Option is defined by a distinct combination of requirements (standards and measures), scoring, statuses and length of accreditation. Health Plan Accreditation (HPA) 2013 has three Evaluation Options: Interim, First and Renewal. Plans are surveyed under one of the three evaluation options based on eligibility.
NCQA administers seven types of surveys to plans seeking accreditation: Full Survey, Follow-Up Survey, Resurvey, Add-On Survey, Expedited Survey, Corporate Survey and State and Federal Agency Survey.
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics In what order do organizations progress through the Evaluation Options?
For the Interim Evaluation Option: Interim, to First, to Renewal.
For the First Evaluation Option: First to Renewal.
After a plan progresses to the Renewal Evaluation Option, all subsequent surveys will be for that Evaluation Option, unless the accreditation lapses for more than two years.
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics Which Evaluation Option should plans with New Health Plan accreditation apply for next?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics How are the First Evaluation Option and the Renewal Evaluation Option different?
The First Evaluation Option is for plans without existing NCQA Accreditation, and plans may, but are not required to report HEDIS/CAHPS until the third annual HEDIS reporting cycle. HEDIS/CAHPS reporting and scoring are required at the time of survey submission and annually thereafter for the Renewal Evaluation Option.
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics How are the Interim Option and the First Evaluation Option different?
The Interim Evaluation Option has half of the number of elements as the First Evaluation Option, focuses on policies and procedures and is valid for 18 months.
The First Evaluation Option is valid for 36 months and focuses on policies and procedures, initial measurement and analysis of programs and file review.
Plans going through the Interim Evaluation Option can earn Interim status (HEDIS/CAHPS reporting is not required); plans going through the First Evaluation Option can earn either Provisional or Accredited status (if they are not scored on HEDIS/CAHPS).
Reporting is required during the third annual HEDIS reporting cycle for organizations going through the First Evaluation Option, which also gives plans the option to be scored on HEDIS/CAHPS results, allowing them to earn an accreditation status higher than Accredited.
8.15.2012 UPDATED: Completely overturned denials excluded from file review Are overturned denials excluded from file review for only UM 9, Elements C and D, or from all elements in UM 9?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Eligibility How long must a plan be in operation before applying for NCQA Accreditation?
Plans may apply for the Interim Evaluation Option and the First Evaluation Option at any time, regardless of how long they have been in operation.
For the Interim Evaluation Option, plans must show evidence that they met the requirements before the survey start date.
For the First Evaluation Option, plans must show that they met the requirements for the six months before their survey date.
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics For which Evaluation Options are organizations eligible if their accreditation has expired?
A plan whose accreditation status has expired or has been withdrawn for less than two years is eligible for the Renewal Evaluation Option with a 24-month look-back period.
A plan whose accreditation expired more than two years ago is eligible for accreditation through the Interim Evaluation Option or First Evaluation Options with a six-month look-back period.