June 15, 2017
WASHINGTON, DC—The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is proud to announce its Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition Program is now an approved medical home model for Covered California’s 2018 Qualified Health Plan (QHP) contracts.
“Covered California” is California’s own health insurance exchange established in 2014 and assuring access to affordable, high quality care. As part of that mission, Covered California strives to strengthen primary care in the state by matching enrollees to primary care providers (PCPs) and increasing the number of enrollees receiving care in Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH).
“It is our strong belief the patient-centered medical home model is one that improves health outcomes and reduces costs,” said Margaret E. O’Kane, NCQA President. “This news represents a great opportunity to increase PCMH adoption across the state of California, providing quality health care to millions of people.”
Starting with the application to offer QHPs in 2018, health plans reapplying to the Exchange, as well as those newly applying, will report the number of enrollees receiving care in a certified PCMH and will be measured over time to track progress towards advancing primary care in California.
QHP’s should encourage providers and practices participating in their networks to learn more about NCQA PCMH Recognition and how it meets both Covered California’s and federal quality improvement requirements under MACRA.
NCQA is holding California PCMH education opportunities — Introduction to PCMH 2016 and Advanced PCMH 201, July 25-27 in Hollywood, California.