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 Basics How is the Exchange Add-on Survey different from the regular Add-on Survey?

The Exchange Add-on Survey is a streamlined version of the regular Add-on Survey:

Plans do not submit HEDIS/CAHPS

Since HEDIS/CAHPS are not submitted, plans are capped at Accredited status.

NCQA reviews documentation of standards only when the organization manages functions differently from key elements. (The Application defines which standards are required and how many functions are permitted to be performed differently).

No file review for the Exchange product line.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

9.15.2012 Basics What are the benefits for completing the Exchange Add-on Survey?

1. Allows you to market your Exchange product as NCQA Accredited to Exchanges and potential members.

2. Allows you to meets Exchange accreditation requirements, for those Exchanges that require Exchange _specific Accreditation.

3. Its a streamlined and efficient process, where plans need to attest that they will operate their Exchange the same as their accredited product. Unless there are many differences, NCQA will not review further documentation.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

9.15.2012 Basics What happens after the Exchanges Add-on Survey accreditation status expires?

The Exchange Add-on accreditation status is valid until your existing NCQA accredited product expires. Once this occurs, you must bring your Exchange product through the Renewal Evaluation Option which would include submission of HEDIS and CAHPS results starting in 2015.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

9.15.2012 "In-print" format Is including a "print" option in an online document enough to meet NCQA's "in print" requirement?

No. By "in print," NCQA means a printed copy of a document that is made available (e.g., by mail) to eligible individuals who may not have access to the Internet.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

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.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

9.15.2012 Contact Information Who can I contact if I would like to learn if the Exchange Add-on Survey is the correct path for my plan?

Ledia Tabor, Director of Quality Solutions Group (Exchanges) at Tabor@ncqa.org or 202-995-1725.

Jennifer Zutz, Analyst of Quality Solutions Group (Exchanges) at Zutz@ncqa.org or 202-955-1720.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

9.15.2012 Basics What if I do not qualify for automatic accreditation because less than 70% of elements listed will be administered differently?

If an organization does not qualify for automatic Accreditation for its Exchange product line, NCQA will survey those elements that it will administer differently using NCQAs existing add-on survey process. The survey will only consist of the off-site portion of the survey process and will not include a file review.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

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).

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
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.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS 2013

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Standards and Guidelines Several elements in the First Evaluation Option require annual evaluation, even though the Evaluation Option has a six-month look-back period for all other elements. How do plans meet this annual requirement?

NCQA will expand the look-back period if it is necessary for plans to demonstrate that performance requirements are met and to produce an adequate sample for file reviews. For annual requirements, plans must complete the activity at least once during the prior year.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: Standards and Guidelines To which product lines and evaluation options do the Member Connections (MEM) standards apply?

MEM standards apply only to commercial product lines for the First Evaluation Option and the Renewal Evaluation Option.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

8.15.2012 Evaluation Options: HEDIS Reporting and Scoring Plans that are not scored on HEDIS/CAHPS are capped at Accredited status. Will NCQA grandfather plans that earned Commendable status but were not scored on HEDIS/CAHPS?

Yes. The Commendable status will remain valid until the plans existing accreditation status expires.

This applies to the following Programs and Years: