Data Aggregator Validation FAQs

WHAT IS DATA AGGREGATOR VALIDATION?

NCQA’s Data Aggregator Validation program evaluates the ingestion, transformation and output of aggregated clinical data to ensure data integrity. This gives health plans, government entities and care delivery organizations confidence in the validity of the clinical data they are using for quality reporting, value-based contracting, closing gaps in care and other initiatives.

HOW DOES DATA AGGREGATOR VALIDATION HELP MY ORGANIZATION?

The Data Aggregator Validation program helps you and your contracting partners have confidence in the validity of aggregated clinical data used for things like quality reporting, value-based contracting and closing gaps in care.

Validation is particularly beneficial if the data are used in HEDIS® reporting, as validation will save you and your partners time and money. Data streams validated by NCQA through the NCQA Data Aggregator Validation program can be used as standard supplemental data in HEDIS reporting, eliminating the need for primary source verification during the HEDIS audit process and saving time and money for provider organizations and health plans.

WHAT ARE THE DATA AGGREGATOR VALIDATION REQUIREMENTS?

The DAV program is based on three primary validation activities.

1. Process standards review: These standards focus on how the data are managed throughout the process. Requirements look at things like how the data are ingested, processes for managing the validating data, coding integrity, quality assurance and change management, governance and data security.
2. Primary Source Verification (PSV): The PSV process verifies that the information in the final CCD or FHIR file matches the actual original primary source data.
3. Conformance to the HL7 C-CDA R2.1 Implementation Guide (CCD IG) or the US Core Implementation Guide STU3 (v3.1.1) (FHIR IG). Compliance will be validated through synthetic test decks and actual sample cases.

To see all program requirements, see the program manual.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE REQUIREMENTS?

The program manual is available for purchase in the NCQA store.

WHAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE DATA AGGREGATOR VALIDATION PROGRAM?

Validation is conferred to a data stream, so any organization the aggregates clinical data and outputs that data as CCD files is eligible to participate. For a data stream to be validated, all standards must be passed. Organizations that manage data streams and can meet all the standards on their own may bring through a data stream for validation.

There may be instances where multiple entities support aggregating clinical data. In those cases, multiple organizations involved in the management of that data may validate a data stream. In these cases, the responsible party is the organization contractually obligated to conduct PSV and validation of the data stream, and responsible for identifying and alerting NCQA to relevant changes that could impact validity or usability. A data partner is an organization who does not conduct PSV but may meet other DAV standards and supports responsible parties for validation of the data stream.

An organization may be responsible for all standards in data stream validation or may have one or more data partners support their data stream validation.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR GETTING A DATA STREAM VALIDATED?

The first step to validating a data stream is a discussion with an NCQA program expert. Purchase and review the program resources and conduct a gap analysis against the program requirements to ensure you will meet the program requirements. Once ready, submit your online application.

Align your internal processes and policies with the Data Aggregator Validation requirements. Validation can take anywhere from 12-18 weeks depending on the number of clusters and complexity of the validation.

WHAT IS THE PRICE FOR DATA AGGREGATOR VALIDATION?

Pricing varies based on the number of clusters and amount of data being validated. To get a quote, contact an NCQA program expert.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO VALIDATE A DATA STREAM?

Validating a data stream takes between 12-18 weeks. However, NCQA has limited space in cohorts and space fills up quickly. Contact NCQA today to submit an application.

WHEN DO THE DAV COHORTS OCCUR?

DAV cohorts occur annually in January and July and run 20 weeks. Below are the start and end dates of the current and upcoming cohorts.

Note: Exact dates are subject to change slightly. See website or check with NCQA for the latest information.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

If you are interested in getting a data stream validated, contact NCQA. If you are a current Data Aggregator Validation customer and want to talk to someone about your status or about renewing, submit a question through My NCQA.