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
  • Save
  • Email
  • Print
expand all

11.15.2013 Volume 2 Technical Update In the Volume 2 Technical Update memo, the term "discharged alive" was replaced with "discharged" in measures that include discharges for AMI or CABG. Does this mean that members who died prior to discharge should be included in the measures?

No. Removal of the language "discharged alive" does not mean that deceased members should be included in measures. As with other HEDIS measures, deceased members who do not meet continuous enrollment or anchor date criteria should not be included in the measures Eligible Population. The term "discharged alive" was removed in order to make language consistent across AMI, CABG and PCI (the term had been removed from PCI in the July 1 release of the publication; NCQA received questions about why it was removed from PCI but not from AMI or CABG). In 2015, NCQA intends to remove the term "discharged alive" from all remaining references (i.e., PBH, FUH and all measure descriptions).

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS 2014

10.15.2013 Meeting UM 7C and 7F using the Notice of Denial of Medical Prescription Drug Coverage. Does the Notice of Denial of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage meet the same factors in UM 7, Elements C and F as the Notice of Denial of Medical Coverage (NDMC)?

Yes. NCQA accepts the Notice of Denial of Medical Prescription Drug Coverage as meeting factors 1-3 of these elements.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
UM-CR 2013

10.15.2013 Core and Structural elements. What is the difference between core elements and structural elements?

Core elements are requirements that an organization must meet even if it has no clients.

Structural elements are requirements that the organization must meet even if it delegates 100% of the function. If an organization delegates the functions associated with a structural requirement, it must provide NCQA with its own programs or policies and procedures and evidence of approval of the delegates documentation.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
UM-CR 2013

10.15.2013 Commercial and Medicare Exchanges. Do private commercial and Medicare exchanges come under the Exchange product line?

No. The Exchange product line is only for the public (ACA-related) exchanges. Private commercial exchanges come under the commercial product line and Medicare exchanges come under the Medicare product line.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

10.15.2013 Scoring and implementation of new Medicaid language in HP 2014. The 2014 HP standards state that beginning July 1, 2014, Medicaid plans will be reviewed and scored on MEM standards, but may submit a plan for implementing the MEM standards by July 1, 2015 (if the functions are not already in place). What is required of organizations that have surveys before July 1, 2015? What documentation is required of these organizations? Similarly, what is required of organizations that have surveys on or after July 1, 2015?

For Medicare, Medicaid and Exchange surveys beginning on or before June 30, 2015, NCQA will review and score the organization on their submitted implementation plan. The implementation plan must address all requirements of the applicable elements and factors, during the first year of review (July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015). NCQA will not resurvey or reevaluate organizations in 2015 to determine if MEM functions are operational. For Medicare, Medicaid and Exchange surveys beginning on or after July 1, 2015, the organization must demonstrate that MEM functions are operational in order to receive the associated points. We do not expect organizations to submit additional documentation between surveys.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

10.15.2013 Clarification that MED elements are NA for Exchange Product Line. Is the Exchange product line NA for the Medicaid standard and elements?

Yes. Organizations being surveyed for the Exchange product line are scored NA for all MED elements.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

10.15.2013 Identification of Alcohol and Other Drug Services On page 298 of HEDIS 2014 Volume 2, in the Outpatient and ED section, the 5th bullet states "where the organization can confirm that the visit was in an intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization setting (POS 53 is not specific to setting)." Should the language be changed to reference an "outpatient" setting?

Yes. The language should read, "where the organization can confirm that the visit was in an outpatient setting (POS 53 is not specific to setting)." The intent is to include only codes where the organization can confirm that the visit was in an outpatient setting.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS 2014

10.15.2013 Mental Health Utilization On page 302 of HEDIS 2014 Volume 2, in the Outpatient and ED section, the 5th bullet states "where the organization can confirm that the visit was in an intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization setting (POS 53 is not specific to setting)." Should the language be changed to reference an "outpatient" setting?

Yes. The language should read, "where the organization can confirm that the visit was in an outpatient setting (POS 53 is not specific to setting)." The intent is to include only codes where the organization can confirm that the visit was in an outpatient setting.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS 2014

10.15.2013 Use of a vendor or delegate for HIP and WHP Certifications. May an organization coming through for HIP or WHP certification use a vendor or delegate for any functions or activities required by the standards and guidelines?

No. Organizations coming through for NCQA HIP or WHP Certification may not use a vendor or delegate for any functions or activities required by the HIP/WHP certification standards and guidelines.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
WHP 2013

8.29.2013 Lack of expiration date for board certification What is NCQA's documentation requirement if a medical board does not provide an expiration date?

If the medical board does not provide the expiration date for a practitioner's board certification, the organization must verify and document that the board certification is current within 180 calendar days of the credentialing decision date.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

8.29.2013 Documentation requirements using NPDB-PDS Databank What are the documentation expectations for CVOs that use the NPDB-PDS Databank's Continuous Query for collecting and reporting malpractice history?

The CVO must provide NCQA with evidence of a practitioners current or continuous enrollment in the NPDB-PDS Databank, and of review and reporting of databank activity to the organizations client within 120 calendar days.

If no malpractice history is reported by the databank, the CVO must document this in the file and must report to clients that no malpractice settlements were reported. NCQA does not prescribe how the organization documents this information.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

8.29.2013 Future completion dates for education and training Does NCQA accept future completion dates when verifying education and training?

No. Verification of future completion date does not meet NCQA requirements for verification of the highest level of education and training completed by the practitioner. NCQA requires an actual completion date.

This applies to the following Programs and Years: