Below is the process and recommended timeline for earning NCQA PCSP Recognition for practices not currently recognized by NCQA.
| STEP | DESCRIPTION | TIME BEFORE RECOGNITION |
|---|---|---|
| Learn the Requirements | Download the Standards and Guidelines Document and begin learning the concept areas and required criteria. | 9-12 months |
| Apply criteria to your practice | Implement changes in your practice that align with NCQA concepts and criteria. Decide which elective requirements you want to submit and plan how you want to demonstrate your evidence.
| 9-12 months |
| Enroll through Q-PASS | Create a Q-PASS account at qpass.ncqa.org. Q-PASS is the web-based platform that will be used to submit all documentation and data to NCQA as well as manage your recognition process. Once you have an account, you can enroll in Recognition in Q-PASS. This officially starts the recognition process. From this point, your practice has 12 months and 3 check-ins to complete the recognition process. Be certain before enrolling that you are prepared to complete the recognition process within this window. | 9+ months |
| Enroll through Q-PASS | Enroll in Recognition through Q-PASS. This officially starts the recognition process. From this point, your practice has 12 months and 3 virtual reviews to complete the recognition process. Be certain before enrolling that you are prepared to complete the recognition process within this window. | 6-9 months |
| Kick Off Call with NCQA Representative | You will be assigned an NCQA Representative who will walk you through the recognition process and work with you to plan dates for your virtual reviews. If you have more than one site, your representative can provide you guidance on setting up site groups and sharing evidence across sites. | 6-9 months |
| Virtual Reviews (Up to 3) | Participate in up to 3 virtual reviews. Demonstrate that you are embracing measurement and quality improvement via virtual reviews. Virtual review must be scheduled 30 days in advance of desired review date. | 1-5 months |
| Submit for Recognition | Once your virtual reviews are complete and you have met enough criteria to earn NCQA Recognition, you formally submit for Recognition through Q-PASS. | 1 month |
| Earn Recognition | NCQA reviews your submission one last time and notifies the practice of its recognition status. | 0 months |
| Print Your Recognition Certificate | Once notified of recognition, go into Q-PASS and print Recognition Certificate (from the My Evaluation screen). | 0 months |
| Annual Reporting | Your practice performs ongoing quality improvement and submits evidence of this during Annual Reporting to sustain recognition and succeed as a NCQA Recognized practice. | 11 months after your recognition date |