December 9, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC—December 9, 2024—The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has been awarded a five-year contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue its support of administering the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS). This year, in addition to performing operations quality oversight of survey vendors and data collection, NCQA will collaborate with CMS and partners to test potential new content and future methods of survey data collection.
NCQA works closely with CMS to refine HOS procedures, enhance training programs and streamline data submission and survey administration. “The Medicare HOS is a vital tool for collecting valid, reliable and meaningful data, empowering members to make informed decisions about their health care and incentivizing excellence in health plan care delivery,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “NCQA is committed to supporting survey implementation and quality oversight, and to helping shape the survey’s future.”
Collected annually since 1998, the HOS was the first patient-reported outcome measure that monitors Medicare managed care health plan performance. The survey has 62 questions, including three HEDIS Effectiveness of Care measures, and assesses Medicare Advantage Organizations’ ability to maintain or improve the physical and mental health of their members over time. It plays a crucial role in helping CMS evaluate health plans and prioritize better health outcomes by directly linking quality performance to Medicare Star Ratings and Quality Bonus Payments.
For more information about the survey and the HOS technical specifications, visit the HOS website (https://www.hosonline.org). For information accessing the survey, visit NCQA’s website (https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/hos/).
About NCQA
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization with over 25 years of experience supporting CMS and other federal agencies in its dedicated efforts to improve health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also Recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter/X@ncqa and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
If you are interested in learning more about NCQA’s Contract and Professional Services, please visit https://www.ncqa.org/contract-and-professional-services/
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