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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10.15.2026 Combining commercial and Exchange product lines for reporting UM rates May an organization combine commercial and Exchange product lines when reporting Utilization Management (UM) rates for UM 1, Elements B–H?

No. For NCQA Health Plan Accreditation, NCQA reviews and scores UM 1, Elements B–H separately for each product line brought forward for Accreditation. Organizations may not combine any product lines—including commercial and Exchange—when reporting and evaluating UM rates for UM 1, Elements B–H.

Note: This FAQ has been updated to remove references to UM Accreditation and BHA. For these products, refer to the Frequently Asked Question released in October 2026: https://www.ncqa.org/FAQs/?faq=000026313

Applicable standards: 

  • Health Plan Accreditation: UM 1, Elements B-H. 

FAQ ID #25919

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2026

10.15.2026 HEDIS MY 2027 Measure Retirements What is the final NCQA-supported version of the retired MY 2027 measures?

The final NCQA-supported version of these retired measures are the HEDIS MY 2026 Volume 2 Technical Update version of the measure specifications. Any subsequent change to a measure specification is an independently modified version and is not maintained, reviewed or endorsed by NCQA. 

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2027

10.15.2026 HEDIS MY 2027 Measure Retirements What measures were approved for retirement in HEDIS MY 2027?

The measures approved for HEDIS MY 2027 retirement were:

  • Documented Assessment After Mammogram (DBM-E)
  • Oral Evaluation, Dental Services (OED)
  • Topical Fluoride for Children (TFC)
  • Diagnosed Mental Health Disorders (DMH)
  • Diagnosed Substance Use Disorders (DSU)
  • Diabetes Monitoring for People With Diabetes and Schizophrenia (SMD)
  • Cardiovascular Monitoring for People With Cardiovascular Disease and Schizophrenia (SMC)
  • Use of Opioids at High Dosage (HDO)
  • Risk of Continued Opioid Use (COU)
  • Language Description of Membership (LDM)

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2027

10.15.2026 HEDIS MY 2027 Measure Retirements When will these measures be removed from HEDIS MY 2027 Volume 2?

The retired measures will be removed in the HEDIS MY 2027 Technical Specification Update release on March 31, 2027.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2027

10.15.2026 HEDIS MY 2027 Measure Retirements Will NCQA maintain the measures post-retirement?

NCQA will not maintain the measures post-retirement. Organizations that choose to use a retired measure are responsible for determining whether and how to use, adapt, update or interpret it. NCQA assumes no responsibility for the continued availability, accuracy, maintenance or licensing of retired measure value sets.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2027

10.15.2026 Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS-E) Vaginal HPV Self-Swab Identification How can organizations identify vaginal self-swab HPV samples for the CCS-E measure?

The CCS-E measure allows at-home, self-collected HPV vaginal samples that are sent to a laboratory or provider's office for analysis (see General Guideline: Self-Collected Samples). Organizations can identify qualifying screenings through multiple approved data sources, including claims, laboratory data, electronic clinical data and medical records. The absence of a specific code does not exclude identification of a qualifying screening if the organization can demonstrate numerator compliance using an approved data source that meets the requirements of the measure.

When using supplemental data (e.g., laboratory data, electronic clinical data or medical record documentation) to assess the numerator (i.e., the provider did not bill one of the codes in the measure), the documentation must meet the requirements outlined in General Guideline: Supplemental Data. NCQA does not approve code mapping, and the auditor will determine whether the data meet the intent of the measure.

If a laboratory bills for the test using any of the CPT codes in the High Risk HPV Lab Test Value Set then this meets numerator criteria. The CPT codes are not specific to sample type (vaginal versus cervical) therefore billing is based on the specific assay and types being detected by the laboratory.

 

**This FAQ applies to HEDIS Volume 2 MY 2026 & MY 2027. 

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2027

10.15.2026 Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS-E) LOINC Codes for Vaginal HPV Self-Swab Are there LOINC codes available to capture Vaginal self-swab HPV samples for the CCS-E measure?

No, because new LOINC codes were released after publication of MY 2026, organizations can use supplemental data to meet the numerator requirements. The documentation must meet the requirements outlined in General Guideline: Supplemental Data. NCQA does not approve code mapping, and the auditor will determine whether the data meet the intent of the measure.

New codes for self-collected specimens were included in LOINC’s recent release and additional pre-release codes are currently published on the LOINC website (and will be included in the next LOINC release).  NCQA will review and include appropriate codes in the MY 2027 Technical Update release scheduled for March 31, 2027.

**This FAQ applies to HEDIS Volume 2 MY 2026 & MY 2027.  

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2026, 2027

10.15.2026 Qualifications for Case Managers Does NCQA require case managers to be RNs?

No. Organizations make the determination regarding the qualifications of case managers, based on industry standards and regulatory requirements. NCQA is not prescriptive regarding the type of professionals who may perform case management.

Applicable standards:

  • Health Plan Accreditation: PHM 5, Element C and LTSS 1, Element J
  • Behavioral Health Accreditation: PHM 5, Element C and LTSS 1, Element J
  • Case Management Accreditation: CM 2, Element D and LTSS 1, Element D
  • CM-LTSS Accreditation: LTSS 2, Element D

FAQ ID #26314

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2020|HP 2026|BHA 2026|CM-LTSS 2026

10.15.2026 Combining commercial and Exchange product lines for reporting UM rates for BHA or UMA May an organization combine product lines (e.g., commercial and Exchange product lines) when reporting Utilization Management (UM) rates for UMA or BHA?

Yes. Organizations are not required to provide UM rates by product line for BHA surveys and UMA surveys, but the organization must indicate the product lines included in the reported UM rates in the UM Data Collection Workbook.

Applicable standards:

  • Utilization Management Accreditation: UM 1, Elements B and C.
  • Behavioral Health Accreditation: UM 3, Elements B—E.

FAQ ID #26313

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
UM 2026|BHA 2026

9.15.2026 Use of HEDIS for PHM 2, Element A Can an organization use HEDIS measures to meet PHM 2, Element A?

Although HEDIS measures may reflect data from multiple sources, organizations must provide evidence demonstrating how the required data sources listed in the factors are integrated. Presenting HEDIS measure results alone does not demonstrate this integration.

Applicable standards:
  • Health Plan Accreditation – PHM 2, Element A
  • Behavioral Health Accreditation – PHM 2, Element A

FAQ ID #26220

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2026|BHA 2026

8.31.2026 HEDIS MY 2028 Measure Specification Structure Changes: Any Requirements for adoption of Digital HEDIS or FHIR-based reporting Do these updates mean that organizations must move to Digital HEDIS or FHIR-based reporting?

No. Traditional HEDIS reporting remains supported. The updated structure introduces terminology and structure that align with FHIR-based digital measures, but it does not require organizations to adopt Digital HEDIS or change their current reporting approach. Organizations may continue using their existing reporting methods while gaining visibility into how those specifications align with future digital quality measurement models.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2028

8.31.2026 HEDIS MY 2028 Measure Specification Structure Changes: Revised Narrative Language and Measure Interpretation What should organizations do if the updated narrative language appears different from how the organization currently implements a measure?

The updated specification structure is intended to organize and align information with its FHIR-based digital equivalent and is not intended to change current reporting expectations. Organizations should continue following existing HEDIS reporting guidance and audit requirements.

If questions arise regarding a specific measure or implementation scenario, NCQA welcomes questions or comments through My NCQA, utilizing the MY 2028 Preview: Measure Specification Enhancements option within the 'General Content Area' dropdown under the HEDIS option within the 'Product/Program Type' dropdown.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS MY 2028