| PCSP (Version 3) Summary of Changes | |
| Topic | Update Highlights |
| Standards and Guidelines | Added the ‘Shared Credit’ symbol to all relevant criteria. |
| Standards and Guidelines/ Appendix 4 | The new appendix outlines the updated Merger, Acquisition and Consolidation Policy for Recognition Programs policy. |
| TC 03 | Updated language describing an appropriate external patient-centered collaborative activities and clarified than participation in an HIE will not meet the requirement. |
| TC 08 | Specified that if appointments are conducted using telehealth, the practice should have a process for informing patients about the availability. |
| RM 11 | Highlighted that this criterion is particularly relevant to self-referred patients. |
| KM 04 | Specified that monitoring pain or functional health status may not be appropriate for all specialties, so if the category is not relevant or appropriate, a practice should make a different selection. |
| KM 05 | Clarified that the practice must use a standardized screening tool and have a process for following up on results. |
| KM 06 | Specified that age and gender are not acceptable as a third aspect of diversity. |
| KM 15 | Clarified that patients should be proactively reminded of needed services related to the specialty. |
| KM 20 | Specified that excellence in a performance-based recognition programs must be at the site level. |
| AC 01 | Clarified that the focus of the criterion is to ensure that patients have access to the practice for urgent needs. |
| AC 02 and AC 03 | Stated that the reports include calls or messages received both during and after office hours. |
| AC 04 | Specified that clinical advice documentation is inclusive of telehealth appointments. |
| AC 05 | Stated that continuity of the medical record is inclusive of telehealth appointments. |
| PM 01 and PM 11 | Clarified the guidance in PM 01 by moving the reference to motivational interviewing and treatment goals to PM 11. |
| CC 09 | Highlighted that follow-up visits may be conducted through telehealth and that follow-up should be consistently documented. |
| CC 13 | Clarified that electronically exchanging information should include data both sent and received. |
| QI 01F | Clarified that the report provided should summarize collected feedback. |
| QI 01 | Clarified that measures include activities conducted during telehealth visits. |
| QI 01D. | Specified that major appointments may be conducted in person or via telehealth. |
| QI 01E. | Clarified that the access category may include questions regarding telehealth. |
| QI 05 | Updated the vulnerable patient population definition. |
| Policies and Procedures | Added a description of telehealth in NCQA recognition programs. |
| Policies and Procedures | Updated the reconsideration process. |
| Policies and Procedures | Doctoral or master's level certified or licensed chemical dependency counselors have been added as eligible clinicians to the program. |
| Policies and Procedures | The “Discretionary Audit” is now called the “Discretionary Review”. |
PCSP 2019