Recognizing Innovation in Multicultural Health Care

Focusing on culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) that address disparities is an essential step towards quality health care for all. Through the Recognizing Innovation in Multicultural Health Care Award program, NCQA sought to provide a forum for shared learning to explore strategies to tie cultural awareness into existing quality improvement efforts.

This award program was informed by NCQA’s earlier work (2004-2005) funded by The California Endowment to investigate the feasibility for health plans to develop and implement culturally and linguistically appropriate care and to monitor health care disparities among managed care populations. From 2006-2009, the awards highlighted and recognized health plans for their exemplary efforts and demonstrated effectiveness in promoting cultural competence and addressing the health care needs of diverse members.

The awards also helped support the development of NCQA’s Standards and Guidelines for Distinction in Multicultural Health Care.

Click below to learn more about the award winners:
2009 Awardees
2008 Awardees
2007 Awardees
2006 Awardees

Award winning initiatives were summarized in an Innovative Practices Report. Reports for each of the four years can be downloaded here:

2009 Innovative Practices Report
2008 Innovative Practices Report
2007 Innovative Practices Report
2006 Innovative Practices Report
          
Funded by The California Endowment, Supported by CMS and The Office of Minority Health.