Plans that do not report HEDIS/CAHPS are capped at Accredited status. The list of plans that report HEDIS/CAHPS (or do not report) is available on NCQAs publicly reported Health Plan Report Card.
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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8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: HEDIS Reporting and Scoring How does NCQA differentiate among plans that are accredited through the Renewal Evaluation Option and plans that are accredited through the First Evaluation Option but do not report HEDIS/CAHPS measures?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Status and Scoring Does NCQA publish denials for plans undergoing the Interim Evaluation Option or the First Evaluation Option?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Status and Scoring Is it possible for plans to score higher than Accredited status during any First Evaluation Option years?
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Basics Which Evaluation Option should plans choose if they have not been accredited by NCQA?
Plans new to NCQA can earn accreditation through the Interim Evaluation Option or the First Evaluation Optionplans decide which Evaluation Option fits their needs. The two options give plans flexibility to choose based on their readiness and the comprehensiveness of their services.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
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.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
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: 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.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Status and Scoring How are plans scored that do not report HEDIS/CAHPS?
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.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
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.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Accreditation Surveys May a plan that was denied accreditation reapply for accreditation in less than a year from the date of the Denied status?
Yes, a plan may apply for a new Accreditation Survey (called an Expedited Survey) in less than a year under specific circumstances, including:
The plan was denied accreditation under the Interim Evaluation Option and may reapply after three months.
The organization demonstrates to NCQAs satisfaction that the issues identified in the original survey can be corrected within a six- to nine-month time frame as a result of the organizations activity.
Correction of the issues would raise the organizations accreditation status in a new survey.
To qualify for an Expedited Survey, a plan must submit a written request listing the steps it has taken to address the substantive issues that led to its Denied Accreditation status.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Standards and Guidelines Several elements in the First Evaluation Option require annual evaluation, even though the Evaluation Option has a six-month look-back period for all other elements. How do plans meet this annual requirement?
NCQA will expand the look-back period if it is necessary for plans to demonstrate that performance requirements are met and to produce an adequate sample for file reviews. For annual requirements, plans must complete the activity at least once during the prior year.