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Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about NCQA’s various programs. If you don’t see what you are looking for in one of the entries below, you can  ask a question through My NCQA.

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1.16.2013 Medical Record Review Validation For measures that are heavily or entirely reliant on MRR data (e.g., COA, ABA, WCC, CDC BPs), if an organization attempts MRR validation and fails, or is able to retrieve a only small percentage of charts, can they report an administrative rate as low as 0% (assuming no other issues are identified)?

A low administrative rate, even 0%, can be reported, if the plan wants to submit such a rate and the auditor finds no bias or other problems in the administrative process.

HEDIS 2013

1.16.2013 General Guidelines Is there a deadline for updating administrative rates with new sources of supplemental data?

Yes, the December Update included a modification to the audit timeline that requires all supplemental database activities be concluded by 5/1 in the reporting year. NCQA requires this deadline to allow sufficient time for audit review and possible corrections. The update should be made in the HEDIS Audit Timeline in Volume 5, on page 52 and in Volume 2, on page 17. This sentence should be added: "Auditor finalizes approval of Supplemental Databases, policies, procedures, and content (data)." by May 1.

HEDIS 2013

1.16.2013 Asthma Medication Ratio (AMR) In Table AMR-D, ICD-9-CM Diagnosis code 506.4 is listed under both the emphysema and COPD rows. Is this correct?

No. Remove code 506.4 from the emphysema row. This will be corrected in the MY 2013 manual.

1.16.2013 All-Cause Readmissions (PCR) The MY 2012 P4P manual states that the All Cause Readmission measure will be collected as part of Medicare and is a mandatory testing measure for P4P, but this measure is not listed on the IHA Web site in the MY 2012 measure set.

Although P4P will collect the All Cause Readmission measure from health plans as part of the regular P4P clinical submission process, technically, it is an Appropriate Resource Use measure. As such, it is listed as a testing measure in the Appropriate Resource Use section. Note: Only health plans will submit results for this measure.

1.16.2013 Medical Record Review Validation Can auditors provide plans with the measures selected for over-read earlier than May 1? What if the plan finishes MRR earlier?

The current timeline says that the auditor selects the measures for review on May 1 and not before; however, if the auditor reviews the health plans internal timelines, and finds that the plan expects to finish MRR early, it is acceptable that the auditor send the measure list when all chart review is complete and he has received a final count of numerator hits for each hybrid measure. For example, if the plan finishes all chart chases on April 29 and provides the numerator count lists, the auditor can select the measures for validation and start the process early.

Note: If the auditor allows for an earlier MRRV timeline, the plan may have to adjust other deadlines affected by this change.

HEDIS 2013

1.16.2013 Medicare Measures in the P4P Manual The MY 2012 measure set document updated on December 6, 2012, does not include any Medicare measures, but Medicare measures are in the P4P manual. Why are the Medicare measures not listed in that document any longer?

The HEDIS-based Medicare Star measure results are collected, aggregated and reported at the PO level using the same process as for the commercial P4P program, but they are not part of the commercial P4P program and are not listed in the P4P measure set document. MA results will be publicly reported; health plans may choose to use the results as the basis for performance incentive payments, although no standard P4P program for MA currently exists.

1.16.2013 General Guidelines Should Medicare Advantage (MA) members who elect the hospice benefit and choose to remain enrolled in the MA plan be excluded from MA HEDIS denominators?

No, not for HEDIS 2013 reporting; however, beginning with HEDIS 2014, exclude MA members who elect the hospice benefit available through original Medicare. This change will be in the HEDIS 2014 Volume 2 specifications.

HEDIS 2013

1.16.2013 Medical Record Review Validation If a plan has one failed medical record during MRR validation, and a second sample also fails, do the measure and all the measures in that group receive an NR?

If a plan fails the test – one error in each of two samples – and cannot correct the error and resubmit the correction to the auditor, the plan may not use the Hybrid Method for reporting that measure. The plan can report the administrative rate or report an NR for that measure. The auditor must determine whether the error affects all the other measures in the group and their reportability.

HEDIS 2013

1.16.2013 Cholesterol Management for Patients With Cardiovascular Conditions (CMC) Under the event/diagnosis description on page 51 of the MY 2012 P4P manual, the sentence reads, Include AMI and CABG from inpatient claims only and use only. Use both facility and professional claims to identify AMI or CABG. Is the and use only a typo?

The and use only should not be in the sentence. The sentences should read Include AMI and CABG from inpatient claims only. Use both facility and professional claims to identify AMI or CABG. This will be corrected in the MY 2013 manual.

1.16.2013 Medical Record Review Validation What records are included in Group F (Exclusions)?

MRRV Group F (Exclusions) includes all optional and required exclusions and valid data errors found during medical record review. It does not include records excluded through administrative data or that belong to employees or their dependents. Other hybrid medical record exclusions that should not be reviewed in Group F are exclusions for CBP and the HbA1C Less Than 7% indicator. Because of the large volume, auditors review exclusion rates for these indicators separately. See the instructions in Volume 5, page 65 for reviewing CBP and HbA1c<7%.

HEDIS 2013

1.15.2013 Look-back period for review of delegates for Interim Surveys Do Interim Surveys include review of the program elements (QI 12C, UM 15C, CR 9D, RR 7D, MEM 9D)?

No. The scope of review should not include the elements and the look-back period should be NA for Interim Surveys for elements. We will clarify this in the March 2013 Policy Update.

1.15.2013 Complex case management automated systems Must the entire clinical practice guideline be imbedded in the complex case management automated system?

No. The entire clinical practice guideline does not need to be imbedded in the automated system. However, the guideline components used to conduct assessment and management of patients must be imbedded in the system.