The typical evaluation time frame is 12 months from application submission to decision, depending on an organization’s readiness. Some organizations may already be working within NCQA guidelines.
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.
Filter Results
8.24.2018 How long does it take to earn Health Plan Accreditation?
8.24.2018 How does Health Plan Accreditation help my organization?
- Use the NCQA Health Plan Accreditation standards to perform a gap analysis and determine improvement areas. They provide a framework for implementing evidence-based, best practices help plans improve in areas of:
- QI process.
- Population health management.
- Practitioner network and access to care.
- Utilization management processes.
- Credentialing and recredentialing processes.
- Members’ rights and responsibilities.
- Member connection.
- Medicaid service requirements.
- Satisfy state requirements and employer needs. The standards align with many state requirements.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2017, 2018, 2019, 20208.24.2018 Are there additional resources for health plans seeking LTSS Distinction?
- LTSS Best Practices Academy: Interactive forum for professionals to discuss strategies for coordinating quality long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs.
- LTSS Roadmap: A compilation of resources to guide organizations through meeting Case Management and Health Plan Standards for LTSS.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2017, 2018, 2019, 20208.17.2018 Where can I find information to help me get started with the LTSS Distinction?
- Accreditation Process and Timeline: Key steps, timing and resources for a successful accreditation.
- Standards and Guidelines: The complete standards and guidelines, including the intent and scope of review.
- Interactive Survey Tool: Contains the complete standards and guidelines; you can also determine your organization’s survey readiness—the tool calculates your potential survey score.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
8.15.2018
Updated: Use of Acronyms in UM Denial and Appeal Notices In UM 7, Elements B, E and H and UM 9, Element D, the explanation under Factor 1: states that the reason for denial should not include abbreviations or acronyms that are not defined. Similar language is in UM 8 A.
Does this mean that they must be spelled out (e.g., “We are denying your request for a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test because…”) or explained (“We are denying your request for a DNA test, which is a test that looks at your genetic information in order to…”), or both?
The intent of the requirement is that the denial or appeal notice be written in language that can be easily understood by members. Because abbreviations/acronyms may include terms that are not easily understood, even when spelled out, they must be explained. NCQA is updating the explanation under each applicable factor of the referenced elements to read:
The denial [appeal] notification states the reason for the denial [upholding the denial] in terms specific to the member’s condition or request and in language that is easy to understand, so the member and practitioner understand why the organization denied the request [upheld the denial] and have enough information to file an appeal.
An appropriately written notification includes a complete explanation of the grounds for the denial, in language that a layperson would understand, and does not include abbreviations, acronyms or health care procedure codes that a layperson would not understand. The organization is not required to spell out abbreviations/acronyms if they are clearly explained in lay language. Denial [Appeal] notifications sent only to practitioners may include technical or clinical terms.
NCQA will post an update in December for the 2018 and 2019 HP and UM-CR-PN and 2018 MBHO publications to reflect this change.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2018, 2019|MBHO 2018|UM-CR-PN 2018, 20197.15.2018 Medical necessity review for personal care services Does NCQA require medical necessity review for personal care services, such as cooking, cleaning and transportation?
No. Medical necessity review is not required for personal care services and other activities of daily living in UM 4–UM 7. However, if these services are covered benefits, any denial decision may be appealed and is included in the scope of appeal file review for UM 9.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2018|UM-CR-PN 20185.15.2018 MED standards and the new Medicaid module The previous MED standards are now 15 standards. Can you explain what happened?
In March, NCQA released an expanded Medicaid Module, a voluntary set of 15 standards for organizations with a Medicaid product line. This new module both incorporated the original MED standards (MED 1-MED 6) and added 10 new standards to align with provisions in the federal Medicaid Managed Care Final Rule released by CMS in April 2016.
The new MED module applies to only 2018 HPA; therefore, HPA survey tools for 2017 and earlier are unaffected and do not include the new Medicaid module.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 20182.15.2018 Identifying a member for Complex Case Management When is a member identified as eligible to receive complex case management services?
A member is identified to receive complex case management services in PHM 2, Element D. The organization’s policies and procedures describes its method for categorizing membership for involvement in complex case management. Once identified, the organization must begin the initial assessment within 30 days and complete within 60 days to meet the PHM 5, Element D requirement.
This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 201811.15.2017 Delegation of NET Directories How is NET 7, Element E, factor 1 scored when an organization delegates only the directory functions in NET 6?
11.15.2017 Updated: Timeliness of postservice appeal decisions for Medicare and Medicaid Does the recent change for Medicare and Medicaid postservice appeals from 60 calendar days to 30 calendar days align with Chapter 13 of the Medicare Managed Care Manual?
No. Medicare product lines continue to follow the 60-calendar-day time frame for postservice appeals.
Note: The requirement is correct for Medicare product lines; Medicaid product lines continue to follow the 30-calendar-day time frame for postservice appeals.
