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

11.17.2008 Measure reliability If a plan demonstrates a different methodology for statistical validity, would the methodology be considered?

Element C, Measurement Methodology requires the organization to have a method for determining measurement error and measure reliability. Element H, Principles for Use of Results sets requirements for minimum observations or levels of measure reliability or confidence intervalsas applicable for quality and cost, resource use or utilization measures.

For calculating measure reliability for PHQ, the organization must use the method described in the Explanation in Element C under the subhead Measurement error and measure reliability. Measure reliability is defined as the ratio of the variance between physicians to the variance within one physician, plus the variance between physicians.

NCQA does not prescribe the method used to calculate confidence intervals because the appropriate method may vary based on the parameter (e.g., mean or proportion).

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Measure specifications Expand on the minimum denominator criteria for quality measures. Do you mean minimum observations per measure? Or minimum observations per provider? Or is that already in the requirements?

In measuring physician performance and distinguishing among peers, the organization is required to specify minimum observations or denominators for each measure on which the action is based. Denominators are patient observations, which may include multiple observations for an individual.

Criteria must be defined at the level on which action will be taken.

Note: This applies if the organization uses minimum observations rather than confidence intervals or measure reliability.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Survey pricing How much does the PHQ Survey cost?

The cost of a PHQ Survey is based on survey and evaluation type. The current pricing table for NCQA PHQ Certification is available from the NCQA Web site at www.ncqa.org/tabid/753/Default.aspx.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Handling complaints For the file review component in PHQ 1 (re: member complaints), is there review of a minimum number of files? In other words, we do not anticipate a large number of this type of complaint.

There is no minimum requirement. If the total number of files is fewer than the requested 40 files, NCQA reviews the entire file universe. For file review elements, NCQA follows its 8/30 methodology. Refer to An Explanation of the 8 and 30 File Sampling Procedure on the NCQA Web site at www.ncqa.org/tabid/125/Default.aspx.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Small physician sample size If only a small percentage of available physicians in any specialty within a market have sufficient NQF measures available, may there be an assumption of appropriate quality, thus allowing members access to higher benefits with a larger number of physicians?

Yes. Assumption of appropriate quality in this context is permitted.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Measure specifications Since NQF does not publish the actual code sets for all its measures, how does NCQA determine that an organization is following the measure specifications as written?

NCQA recognizes that some NQF-endorsed or AQA-approved specifications may require additional specifications to implement in specific contexts. Organizations may supplement endorsed specifications as long as they follow all endorsed specifications and if such supplementation does not alter the intended numerator, denominator and exclusion criteria for the measure.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Changing measure specifications With regard to patient experience measures, may we use items from CAHPS-CG but change the referent time period? For example, not rating the last 12 months, but rating the last visit and changing the response categories accordingly?

No. Changing the referent time period materially alters the measure and would therefore not qualify as a standard measure for Element A.

Patient experience measures endorsed, developed or accepted by the NQF, AQA, AMA PCPI, national accreditors or government agencies may be used, but the organization must follow the measure or instrument specifications as written.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Differences between health plan (MCO/PPO) and PHQ standards We went through MCO accreditation in 2007. PHQ standards were required in our standards. How is this different? How is this the same?

NCQAs PHQ product was released in April 2006 as part of its Quality Plus Program, a voluntary suite of areas where NCQA-Accredited plans could earn distinction. NCQA Health Plan (formerly MCO) Accreditation standards do not include PHQ requirements.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Survey Pricing If we go through provisional certification and are then required to go through full certification within 12 months, does our organization get a reduced price?

No. Survey prices apply to each discrete survey; NCQA does not apply credit forward to a future survey. Survey pricing reflects the amount and level of resources NCQA dedicates to evaluating an organization and at the time of the Full Certification Survey, NCQA must re-evaluate the organization on all requirements.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Acceptance of HIP 6 for Autocredit of PHQ 2 Will NCQA accept HIP 6 for autocredit for PHQ 2008?

Yes. The substance of the standards did not change and the purpose of HIP is to give autocredit.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Methodology for evaluation of cost measures What constitutes an acceptable methodological approach to evaluation of cost?

NCQA does not prescribe the cost measures an organization selects, though it requires an organization to specify all aspects of its methodology (Element C). In addition, the organization must risk-adjust its measures (Element C, factor 8) and must meet the minimum statistical requirements for measurement error and measure reliability (Element H, factor 2).

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

11.17.2008 Use of rental networks and hospital quality For PHQ 2, Element E, if we "rent" our national hospital network and do not contract directly, may we share hospital results with the entity we rent from, rather than the individual hospitals?

Each hospital must receive results. Either the organization must provide results to each hospital or it may have a written agreement with the national network stating that it will provide results to hospitals. If the national network provides results to each hospital, it must provide documentation (e.g., reports, materials) to the organization that it has met the requirements.

This applies to the following Programs and Years: