The Physician and Hospital Quality (PHQ) 2008 Standards define how organizations can report differences among providers in a way that is accurate, fair to the providers and useful to consumers and purchasers. Measuring the performance of physicians and hospitals is a technical and complex undertaking, and methods to do it are currently experiencing rapid evolution. The customers who use the results of an organization’s measurement cannot see “under the hood” to understand the methods used. They, and the providers affected by the measurement, need to trust the way the organization uses data on both quality and cost in order to differentiate among providers. With the PHQ standards, NCQA looks under the hood to certify that the measurement results are trustworthy.

Since 2006, 38 health plans accredited by NCQA have achieved Distinction in Physician and Hospital Quality. NCQA now is updating these standards and making PHQ certification available to more types of organizations.

Updates to PHQ

Several developments indicate that there is a wider mandate for an independent third party to fulfill the vital role of certifying physician and hospital measurement programs. Consumers are increasingly interested in information on the quality of their physicians and hospitals, physicians want to be sure such information is accurate, employers and other purchasers want information to help them choose the best providers for their employees, and regulators are concerned that measurement and reporting are done in a way that is fair to providers and consumers.

NCQA's updated PHQ program embodies the following principles:

• Standardization and sound methodology
• Transparency
• Collaboration, where possible
• Action on quality and cost, or quality only, but never cost alone

Timeline

• March 2008: NCQA released the 2008 standards for public comment.
• July 2008: Publication of final program requirements will be made available. 
• October 2008: NCQA will begin to the first PHQ 2008 surveys.