November 17, 2004
GEORGIA GRANTS NCQA HMO DEEMING AUTHORITY; NCQA IS FIRST ORGANIZATION TO EARN STATE’S APPROVAL
NCQA Accreditation will satisfy state quality requirements
WASHINGTON— NCQA-Accredited health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in the state of Georgia will be exempted from state quality audits under an agreement announced today. The Georgia Department of Insurance has granted the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) deeming authority for HMOs, making NCQA the first private accrediting body to be granted such recognition. Georgia ’s deeming program will guarantee that HMOs meeting NCQA’s comprehensive standards will receive significant regulatory relief.
“NCQA’s review process is thorough and rigorous. Granting deeming authority to NCQA helps us ensure that Georgians are getting quality care,” said Scott Sanders, Life & Health Supervisor, Georgia Department of Insurance. “We look forward to a productive relationship with NCQA, and encourage all health plans operating in the state to consider what type of review is right for them.”
“We’re pleased to be able to streamline oversight for those plans that have committed to providing their members the highest quality of care,” said Richard Sorian , NCQA Vice President of Public Policy. “We commend Georgia for its decision to reduce the regulatory burden for the best plans in the state.”
Georgia ’s decision to grant deeming authority to NCQA is especially beneficial for the six health plans that already hold some level of NCQA Accreditation; none of these plans will have to submit to an audit by state surveyors so long as they maintain their NCQA Accreditation status. A seventh health plan is currently awaiting a decision from a recent NCQA review. Information about accredited health plans can be obtained through NCQA’s Health Plan Report Card at www.healthchoices.org.
“NCQA is nationally recognized for the scope and rigor of its survey process and we are proud of our NCQA-Accredited standing,” said Robert McCormack, M.D., Medical Director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. “We support and appreciate the Georgia Insurance Department’s decision.”
The Georgia HMO Association was similarly positive about the decision to deem NCQA Accreditation. “NCQA is the gold standard in HMO accreditation – they really make organizations demonstrate that they’re providing good care and good service before giving them the seal of approval,” said Executive Director Kirk McGhee. “To the extent that deeming encourages more health plans to pursue NCQA Accreditation it’s a good thing for consumers in Georgia .”
Georgia joins the federal government and more than 30 other states that similarly recognize NCQA Accreditation to satisfy state or federal licensure requirements.
For more information about deeming or to inquire about the NCQA Accreditation process, please call Patricia Pergal, Director of Public Policy at (202) 955-3595.
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. NCQA provides health care quality information free of charge through the Web and media in order to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.
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