The organization must provide evidence that practitioners were involved in review and approval of policies and procedures.
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.
For all standards/elements that have been identified as structural requirements, the organization must provide its own materials, processes and other data sources as evidence that it meets each structural component of the standard. Organizations may adopt other organizations' procedures as its own. If an organization adopts existing procedures from another organization, it must provide evidence of formal adoption by its governing body or other group or individuals with appropriate authority.
Organizations going through Interim Survey must present materials to meet the requirements of the element. Materials are not required to have been distributed, and do not have to be in final layout form, but must be approved by the organization. Draft materials are appropriate if approved by the organization.
Unless otherwise noted, codes are stated in the minimum specificity required. For example, if a three-digit code is listed, it is valid as a three-, four- or five-digit code. If a table lists ICD-9-CM Diagnosis code 401, the codes 401.0, 401.1 and 401.9 are acceptable for P4P reporting. When required, a code will be specified with an x, which represents a valid digit that must be used for reporting. For example, ICD-9-CM diagnosis code 640.x1 indicates that any valid fourth digit can be used if the fifth digit is 1.
PQ 3A factors 3-5 and PQ 3B are scored NA if the organization does not display physician performance information for the pay-for-performance program.
PQ 3 C and D are scored against the pay-for-performance requirements if the organization has one complaint process for all programs. If the organizations complaint process is program-specific, PQ 3C and D are scored NA for the pay-for-performance program. NCQA scores PQ 4B factor 1 and the customer portion of factor 4 NA for the pay-for-performance program.
Because there is no NA scoring option in PQ 3B, 3C and 4B, these requirements are scored yes for pay-for-performance programs described above until the NA scoring option is added during the 7/29 release of the ISS tool.
The NSC is not recognized by NCQA as a source for education and training. However, the NSC would be considered an agent of the medical or professional school if the school has a contract with the Clearinghouse to provide verification services. The organization must provide documentation that the specific school has a contract with the Clearinghouse.