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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9.15.2012 Timing When is the first date that I can submit my application for the Exchanges Add-on Survey?

The application will be available by the end of September 2012 and can be submitted anytime; however, NCQA will not begin Exchange Add-on surveys until after January 1, 2013. Note that applications will only be accepted through December 31, 2013, as the Exchange Add-on Survey is a temporary strategy to help plans receive accreditation to qualify for Exchanges.

9.15.2012 Pricing What is due at the time of the application submission?

Application submission fee is $10,000. Organizations should use the Invoice and Payment Information Form included in the application packet to generate their own invoice for the application fee.

9.15.2012 Pricing What is due at the time of the actual survey date?

Base fee is $15,000 if an organization qualifies for automatic accreditation and $22,500 if an organization must go through a review. However, this includes the already submitted application submission fee. Actual additional amount required prior to NCQA awarding automatic accreditation is $5,000 or prior to the survey date if a review is required is $12,500. NCQA will bill organizations for the remainder of the fees due prior to awarding automatic accreditation or conducting the survey.

8.16.2012 Comprehensive Diabetes Care May documentation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test be used when reporting the Medical Attention for Nephropathy indicator?

No. GFR testing is not currently acceptable for the Medical Attention for Nephropathy indicator. Clinical experts determined that certain characteristics, such as age, sex and race, may impact the effectiveness of such tests for monitoring nephropathy. If a member was determined to have impaired kidney function based on a GFR test, it is expected that there would be other documentation in the medical record that would make the member compliant for the nephropathy indicator (e.g., documentation of a visit to a nephrologist or documentation of medical attention for any appropriate conditions listed in the specifications).

HEDIS 2013

8.16.2012 Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis What combination of visits with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis may be used to meet the event/diagnosis criteria?

Although the event/diagnosis criteria do not specifically state "and/or," it is implied. As long as there are two outpatient visits or two nonacute inpatient discharges, or one outpatient visit and one nonacute inpatient discharge, with a diagnosis of RA, the member meets the criteria for eligible population.

HEDIS 2013

8.15.2012 Completely overturned denials excluded from file review Are overturned denials excluded from file review for only UM 9, Elements C and D, or from all elements in UM 9?

Files processed on or after November 1, 2012, are not included in file review for any element in UM 9.

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: HEDIS Reporting and Scoring Will NCQA review and score HEDIS/CAHPS measures if a plan submits them for the Interim Evaluation Option?

No. HEDIS/CAHPS results will not be used to evaluate plans seeking accreditation through the Interim Evaluation Option.

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: HEDIS Reporting and Scoring Are HEDIS/CAHPS measures reported during the third annual HEDIS reporting cycle scored for the First Evaluation Option?

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: HEDIS Reporting and Scoring How does NCQA differentiate among plans that are accredited through the Renewal Evaluation Option and plans that are accredited through the First Evaluation Option but do not report HEDIS/CAHPS measures?

Plans that do not report HEDIS/CAHPS are capped at Accredited status. The list of plans that report HEDIS/CAHPS (or do not report) is available on NCQAs publicly reported Health Plan Report Card.

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Status and Scoring Will currently accredited plans be scored 50 points for HEDIS/CAHPS and 50 points for standards?

No. Recalculation of accreditation scores is generally made against the HEDIS measures and point values in place at the time of the organizations last Full Survey.

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Status and Scoring Does NCQA publish denials for plans undergoing the Interim Evaluation Option or the First Evaluation Option?

No. NCQA does not publish denials for plans undergoing the Interim Evaluation Option or the First Evaluation Option.

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Status and Scoring Is it possible for plans to score higher than Accredited status during any First Evaluation Option years?

Yes. Plans that notify NCQA that they want to be scored on HEDIS/CAHPS measures by December 31 (before the June HEDIS reporting date) may score higher than Accredited status.