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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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8.15.2022 Individual Plan Data - Quality Compass What are the “individual plan data” available on Quality Compass?

Individual plan data are the HEDIS and CAHPS performance rates submitted by health plans that chose to publicly report their results to NCQA. Users have access to all publicly reported plans in a specific product line (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare) and can easily select a subset of plans based on coverage in different regions/states.
 

HEDIS 2022

8.15.2022 Quality Compass: Data Exporter What is the Data Exporter feature on Quality Compass?

All versions of Quality Compass allow users to build customized reports within the tool. Versions of Quality Compass that include the Data Exporter feature allows users to download and export those custom reports into Microsoft Excel.

The Data Exporter feature also grants access to the “All Measures Download” file. This file contains plan-level performance data for all publicly reported health plan submissions and all HEDIS and CAHPS measure results in a single downloadable file. Versions purchased without Data Exporter will not have the ability to export plan level data but will still have access to Excel versions of the benchmarks.
 

HEDIS 2022

7.05.2022 KM 09 For which patients does a PCMH need to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data?

Starting in 2023 for Transforming practices and in 2024 for currently recognized practices, direct collection of data on sexual orientation and gender identity of patients is required for KM 09. This requirement applies to all patients aged 18+, though practices are encouraged to also ask adolescent patients if they have a system for doing so.

PCMH 2017

6.30.2022 PCSP July 2022 Summary of Updates What updates were made to the PCSP Standards and Guidelines for Version 5?

TopicUpdate Highlights
Policies and ProceduresSection restructured
Policies and ProceduresAddition of language regarding Corrective Action Plans
KM 06Addition of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as required topics of data collection. Added requirement that data be direct collection.
KM 06Added requirement that data be direct collection.
PM 19New elective criterion regarding person-driven outcomes.
Appendix 2 – GlossaryAdded “Age as a Vulnerability”

PCSP 2019

6.30.2022 July 2022 Summary of Updates What changes were made to the PCMH Standards and Guidelines for Version 8?

TopicUpdate Highlights
Policies and ProceduresSection restructured
Policies and ProceduresAddition of language regarding Corrective Action Plans
KM 09Addition of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as required topics of data collection. Added requirement that data be direct collection
KM 10Added requirement that data be direct collection
CM 10New elective criterion regarding person-driven outcomes
Appendix 2 – GlossaryAdded “Age as a Vulnerability”

PCMH 2017

6.15.2022 Clarify scope for CVO 3, Element B What are the differences in scope for system controls at the factor level in CVO 3, Element B?

For CVO 3, Element B:

  • Factor 1 applies to verification source information from credentialing and recredentialing cycles, covered in CVO 4-12.
  • Factor 2 applies to modified credentialing verification information from initial credentialing and recredentialing cycles, covered in CVO 4-12.
  • Factors 3–5 apply to all information associated with credentialing/recredentialing of practitioners, covered in CVO 4-14.
  • Factor 6 requires a monitoring process that covers compliance with all policies and procedures described in factors 1–5.

CVO 2022

6.15.2022 CVO: Delegation Oversight System Controls Monitoring - Audits Are both the organization and delegate required to conduct system controls audits for CVO 15, Element C?

Both the organization and delegate must monitor the delegate’s system security controls as part of the delegation oversight requirements and may choose audit as the monitoring method. If auditing is the chosen method, the delegate provides an audit report of modifications that did not comply with its policies and procedures or with the delegation agreement.

The organization is not required to conduct an audit if it determines that the delegate adequately monitored and reported noncompliant modifications, but must provide documentation (a report, meeting minutes or other evidence) that it reviewed and agreed with the delegate’s findings. If the organization determines that the delegate did not adequately monitor noncompliant modifications, it must conduct its own audit of the delegate’s system controls.

The organization must submit its documentation and the delegate’s documentation as part of the survey.  

CVO 2022

6.15.2022 CVO: CR Advanced System Controls—Policies and Procedures Are organizations that provide evidence of “advanced system controls” eligible to receive Met for CVO 3, Element B?

No. If the organization provides evidence of advanced system controls capabilities, it must submit policies and procedures for CVO 3, Element B. Policies and procedures must address all factors regarding advanced system control capabilities.
 

CVO 2022

6.15.2022 CVO: Annual Monitoring of CR System Controls Monitoring for Delegates Have the allowed methods to audit delegate files in CVO 15, Element C, factor 5 changed?

No. Delegate files may be audited using one of the following methods as described in the factor explanation and noted below:

  • 5 percent or 50 files, whichever is less, to ensure that information is verified appropriately.
    • At a minimum, the sample includes at least 10 credentialing files and 10 recredentialing files. If fewer than 10 practitioners were credentialed or recredentialed since the last annual audit, the organization audits the universe of files rather than a sample.
  • The NCQA “8/30 methodology” available at https://www.ncqa.org/programs/health-plans/policy-accreditation-and-certification/

Either methodology is allowed, for consistency with other Delegation Oversight requirements for annual file audits.

CVO 2022

6.15.2022 CVO: Boilerplate Language in Delegation Agreements for System Controls May organizations’ delegation agreements contain boilerplate language for system controls delegates?

Yes, if the language specifies that the delegate must meet NCQA requirements (CVO 3, Element B, factor 4; CVO 15, Element C, factor 5), template language may be used in the delegation agreement. Language specific to each delegate is not required.
 

CVO 2022

6.15.2022 CVO: CR System Control Delegation Agreement When must the delegation agreement include a description of the delegate’s CR system controls as required in CVO 15, Element A?

New delegation agreements implemented on or after July 1, 2022, must include a description of the delegate’s CR system security controls.  

For delegation agreements in place prior to July 1, 2022, NCQA has extended the time frame for including a description of CR system controls in the delegation agreement. All delegation agreements under the 2024 CVO standards (effective July 1, 2024) must include a description of CR system controls. Prior to July 1, 2024, organizations may alternatively provide a delegation agreement and other mutually agreed upon documentation OR the delegate's system controls policies and procedures in lieu of a delegation agreement with a description of CR System controls.

CVO 2022

6.13.2022 Why do I need to provide more information for a low denominator or rate if there is no minimum requirement?

It is to ensure patient safety and routine implementation of medical home activities. Depending on the population served and/or the reporting period, a small denominator is unexpected and may indicate issues (e.g., with data, documentation, implementation). Providing additional information allows the practice to explain—beyond the numbers—when performance is outside the expected range.
 

PCSP 2019