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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5.15.2022 Clarify scope for new Credentialing System Controls Oversight requirement (CR 1, Element D) How is the new oversight requirement, CR 1, Element D, different from the monitoring requirement in factor 5 in CR 1, Element C?

CR 1, Element C, factor 5 requires organizations to have a process for monitoring that policies and procedures are followed for all other factors (factors 1–4) in this element at least annually. Policies and procedures must describe the monitoring process for factor 5.

For CR 1, Element D, the organization submits evidence that it identified, analyzed and acted only on modifications to credentialing/recredentialing information (CR 2 – CR 5) that did not meet the organization’s policies and procedures.

HP 2022

5.15.2022 System Control Requirements Review by Product Line If auditing is used to monitor an organization’s system controls or a delegate’s system controls, is sampling by product line required?

No. Sampling is not required by product line if the product lines are managed the same (a single system is used to manage all product lines).

HP 2022

5.15.2022 Delegation Oversight System Controls Monitoring - Audits Are both the organization and delegate required to conduct system controls audits for factor 5 in UM 13, Element C and CR 8, 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.
 

HP 2022

5.15.2022 MBHO: UM and CR Advanced System Controls—Policies and Procedures Are organizations that provide evidence of “advanced system controls” eligible to receive Met for UM 11, Elements A and C, and for CR 1, Element C?

No. If the organization provides evidence of advanced system controls capabilities, it must submit policies and procedures for UM 11, Elements A and C and for CR 1, Element C. Policies and procedures must address all factors regarding advanced system control capabilities.

Organizations are only eligible to receive a score of Met for UM 11, Elements B and D, and for CR 1, Element D if they provide evidence of advanced system control capabilities that both automatically record dates and prevent changes that do not meet the organization’s policies and procedures.

MBHO 2022

5.05.2022 2022 Health Plan Ratings Release Date When will the 2022 Health Plan Ratings be publicly displayed?

4.15.2022 Data Aggregator Validation (DAV) Data for ECDS Reporting Can validated DAV data streams be used for ECDS reporting? If yes, how should they be categorized (which SSoR)?

Yes. If validated DAV streams are used, they should be categorized as HIE/clinical registry data sources.

HEDIS 2021

4.15.2022 Data Aggregator Validation (DAV) Data for ECDS Reporting Can validated DAV data streams be used for ECDS reporting? If yes, how should they be categorized (which SSoR)?

Yes. If validated DAV streams are used, they should be categorized as HIE/clinical registry data sources.

HEDIS 2022

4.15.2022 Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment (IET) Should denominator episodes be deduplicated to one per day? For example, if a member has two outpatient visits with an SUD diagnosis on the same date of service (with different providers), is it one denominator episode or two?

Deduplicate denominator episodes to one per day. Two eligible SUD encounters on the same date of service count as one denominator episode.  

HEDIS 2022

4.01.2022 Is there a minimum denominator requirement when reporting a rate for Annual Reporting?

No. There is no minimum denominator requirement. A sample of 30 (or more, because this increases the reliability of the sample) is expected to ensure statistical soundness, but there may be cases where it may be appropriate for the denominator to be <30. NCQA requests practices enter an explanation in the Notes from the Organization section in QPASS in this case.

If a practice reports a denominator <30 without a note, the evaluator may contact the practice to confirm data accuracy and to understand the data. The evaluation will be returned to the practice so they can enter an explanation in the Notes from the Organization section for the cited criteria.

PCMH 2017

4.01.2022 Is there a minimum threshold requirement when reporting a rate for Annual Reporting?

It depends. If the AR requirement aligns with a PCMH criteria that specifies a threshold, then that value would be the minimum threshold. However, if a threshold is not explicitly stated in the criteria, then a threshold of 80% or more is expected to ensure consistent application of the process. Please note that there may be some cases where it’s acceptable for the rate to fall below 80%. 
An explanation is required for practices that report a rate less than 80% for the following criteria: AR-AC 1, AR-AC 2, AR-CC 3 [Tracking Imaging Results], and AR-CC 3 [Tracking Lab Results]. 
Additionally, this threshold requirement of 80% would also apply if a practice chooses to submit a depression screening measure for AR-QI 1.

PCMH 2017

4.01.2022 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.

PCMH 2017

3.28.2022 RAND Table for LTSS MY 2022 For LTSS MY 2022 reporting, the random number for sampling members for the Long-Term Services and Supports Shared Care Plan With Primary Care Practitioner (LTSS-SCP) is “0.59”; it is “0.58” for Long-Term Services and Supports Comprehensive Assessment and Update (LTSS-CAU) and Long-Term Services and Supports Comprehensive Care Plan and Update (LTSS-CPU). Should all three measures have the same RAND?

Yes. The RAND should be “0.58” for LTSS-SCP, LTSS-CAU and LTSS-CPU for HEDIS LTSS MY 2022 reporting.

HEDIS-LTSS 2022