FAQ Directory

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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2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings Historical Data Where can I access prior year HPR scores or retrospective HPR data?

2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings 2022 Measure Weights How does NCQA weigh measures used in HPR 2022?

  • "1” = Process measures (e.g., screenings, visits)
  • “1.5” = Patient experience measures (CAHPS)
  • “3” = Outcome and intermediate outcome measures (e.g., HbA1c Control, Blood pressure control)

HPR 2022

2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings Exchange Plans Why don’t I see my Exchange plan in Health Plan Ratings?

NCQA currently does not rate Exchange plans for Health Plan Ratings/Health Plan Accreditation (HPR/HPA). This is primarily because CMS has their own Quality Rating System (QRS), and NCQA has to receive special permission from CMS to use the data for our Accreditation program. NCQA is actively participating in these discussions, and any changes to this policy will be communicated to all organizations in a timely manner.

HPR

2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings Standards Only (Yes)/"No" to Public Reporting How will I be listed for Ratings if I am “Standards Only,” I don’t submit data and say “No” to public reporting on the Attestation?

Your overall rating will be “Partial Data Reported” and your measure rates will be displayed as “NC” (No Credit) on the September 15 release of HPR on the NCQA Health Plan Report Card.

HPR

2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings Data Does Not Match IDSS Rates Why don’t my IDSS rates match the projected ratings scoresheet?

HPR truncates final raw rates and percentiles to 3 decimals, so if your IDSS workbook shows 78.47, HPR will show the raw rate of .784 (truncated at 3 decimals).

HPR

2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings State Coverage How does NCQA define “state coverage”?

NCQA defines “state coverage” as the states where a plan is licensed to operate. Plans that submit HEDIS/CAHPS data provide this information each year during the HOQ process. If plans do not submit these data, NCQA uses state licensing and membership data provided for Accreditation or gathered from external sources.

HPR

2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings Impact of Not Reporting a Measure Not on CMS' Required Measure List What happens if a Medicare plan fails to report a HPR-required measure that is not on CMS’-required measure list?

The plan will receive a “0” on the measure and the measure weight is included in the Ratings calculation.

HPR

2.01.2024 Health Plan Ratings Projected Ratings Sign-Off Requirement Why are plans required to affirm their projected rating?

NCQA requires plans to review their projected rating as a final quality assurance step in the ratings process. Although the projected information is subject to change (from continued quality checks), plans must affirm that they reviewed their information and have no questions regarding their Accreditation status or projected rating.

HPR

1.29.2024 Health Plan Ratings Data for Scoring What data is HPR using to score plans?

HPR utilizes HEDIS, CAHPS, and HOS data sets and Measurement Years are dependent on HPR year as well as product lines. To find specific data information on each HPR year, please access that year's Measure List by navigating to this page https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/health-plan-ratings/
 

HPR

1.29.2024 Health Plan Ratings 2024 Measure Weights How does NCQA weigh measures used in HPR 2024?

"1" = Race/Ethnicity Diversity of Membership
"1” = Process measures (e.g., screenings, visits)
“1.5” = Patient experience measures (CAHPS)
“3” = Outcome and intermediate outcome measures (e.g., HbA1c Control, Blood pressure control)

HPR 2024

1.16.2024 3-Dose-Series Prevnar 20 Pneumococcal Vaccine for Childhood Immunization Status (CIS) When will PCV20 pneumococcal vaccine be added to the pneumococcal conjugate value sets?

We anticipate that PCV20 will be added to the CIS value sets in the HEDIS MY 2024 Technical Update, scheduled for release on April 1, 2024.
Although the PCV20 vaccine is not included in the measure for MY 2023, NCQA does not anticipate this will impact performance. The measure denominator only includes children who were at least 18 months old and expected to have already completed the pneumococcal series by June 2023 (the month when ACIP recommended PCV20).
 

HEDIS 2024

12.15.2023 Collaboration Between Medical Care and Behavioral Health Care Does collaboration between health plan staff clinicians meet the intent of the collaboration requirement in QI 4, Elements A and B?

Typically, no as health plan staff are not practicing practitioners within the health plan's network. The intent of collaboration requirements are for organizations to demonstrate collaboration between their behavioral healthcare delivery system (network practitioners) and medical care delivery system (network practitioners). 

Note: Demonstrating collaboration with an MBHO is acceptable for the collaboration with “behavioral healthcare practitioners” component of the requirement.

HP 2023