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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No. There is no percentage threshold for diagnostic test tracking measures. The expectation is that practices track all diagnostic tests routinely; if performance is lower than expected, the practice should enter the rationale for their low percentage in the Notes from the Organization section in QPASS.
For example, if data show a 30% return rate, that means 70% of the practice’s ordered tests never had a report returned to their PCP.
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.
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.
Yes, if the language specifies that the delegate must meet NCQA requirements (UM 12, Elements A and C, factor 6; UM 13, Element C, factor 5; CR 1, Element C, factor 4; CR 8, Element C, factor 5), template language may be used in the delegation agreement. Language specific to each delegate is not required.
Note: The underlined text is a correction. The previous FAQ referred to the wrong element.
For UM 11, Elements A and 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.
No. If the organization provides evidence of advanced system controls capabilities, it must submit policies and procedures for UM 12, 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 12, 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.
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.
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.
