Guidelines for Corporate Sponsorship

The following principles and guidelines apply to all contributions and sponsorship funds accepted by NCQA.

Acceptance of Funds

General Principles

1. Corporate funds are accepted by NCQA only for programs or activities that are consistent with its mission and vision. NCQA does not have relationships with organizations or industries whose principles, policies or conduct obviously conflict with its values.
2. Corporate relationships with NCQA must preserve trust in NCQA and the credibility and objectivity of its information, priorities, programs and decisions.

Special Guidelines

1. NCQA must maintain its objectivity and independence with respect to any activities that are developed, sponsored or supported with corporate funds. NCQA does not permit influence by corporate sponsors beyond the usual input it seeks from stakeholders.
2. NCQA may accept funds from corporations to support development, enhancement or implementation of its programs.
3. Corporate funding for NCQA program development activity includes the following conditions:
   • NCQA seeks corporate funding for specific activities from multiple sources, when possible.
   • Acceptance of corporate funding for program development is with the understanding that NCQA must maintain its objectivity and commitment to a quality result. Sponsor preference about program design, content or policies may not be reflected in the program.
   • NCQA gathers stakeholder input and perspective on new programs being developed. Under some circumstances, and with NCQA’s approval, corporate sponsors may attend meetings as non-voting observers. All attending sponsors must comply with NCQA policies on disclosure and conflicts of interest.

4. NCQA may consider the results of research studies, test results and other information from corporate sponsors and external experts that may inform its staff on issues to be addressed in the program development process.
5. NCQA may accept a corporate sponsor’s provision of in-kind expertise to assist with tasks such as market research, data analysis or testing, provided that the sponsor complies with NCQA policies on disclosure and conflicts of interest.
6. Acceptance of corporate funds does not imply NCQA endorsement of a company’s products, services, programs or activities.
7. NCQA does not accept charitable contributions from any organization whose primary line of business NCQA Accredits, Certifies or Recognizes, with the exception of limited contributions to NCQA’s annual Health Quality Awards event, annual policy conference or other event.
8. NCQA may accept charitable contributions for its annual Health Quality Awards event, or other event, from an organization whose non-primary line of business has NCQA-Accredited/Certified/Recognized status. Contributions from such organizations may not exceed $75,000.
9. NCQA does not accept funds from any pharmaceutical, medical device and/or biotechnology entity for development of performance measures, including measure field-testing.
10. NCQA recognizes corporate sponsors in its annual report, on its website and as appropriate to the sponsorship arrangement.
11. NCQA must give advance approval for the use of NCQA’s name, logo and language used by a sponsor, with regard to the sponsorship agreement.
12. NCQA maintains its independence and control over all programs, projects or products bearing the NCQA name, logo or trademarks, and over the use of NCQA intellectual property, such as Accreditation standards or HEDIS^® measures.
13. Corporate sponsors may receive benefits from NCQA that include complimentary education programs, publications and data products and briefings on NCQA products, programs and initiatives. 
14. Benefits of certain Corporate Membership levels include participation on the Industry Council on Health Care Quality. The Industry Council provides a discussion forum among an expert pool of knowledge outside NCQA’s traditional stakeholders and customers. 
    
    Industry Council members must abide by NCQA’s Conflict of Interest Policy and are asked to sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement annually. Industry Council members may not advertise or market their Council membership. NCQA may specify levels of sponsorship in accordance with its Corporate Sponsorship Benefits Overview, attached as Exhibit A.

    The cumulative yearly amount of corporate sponsorship funds NCQA accepts from an organization that is a member of the NCQA’s Industry Council shall not exceed 5% of NCQA’s revenue in the prior year.