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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9.15.2018 Terminated arrangements more than 90 calendar days before submission (CM and CMLTSS 2017) If an organization terminated an arrangement with an NCQA-Accredited/Certified/Recognized delegate more than 90 calendar days before it submitted the completed survey tool, is the organization eligible for automatic credit for the portion of the look-back period when activities were performed by the delegate?

Yes. For non-file review requirements, if the arrangement was terminated more than 90 calendar days before submission of the completed survey tool, the organization is eligible for automatic credit for the portion of the look-back period when the NCQA-Accredited/ Certified/Recognized delegate conducted activities. For file review requirements, automatic credit is applied if the delegate processed (or handled) the file, regardless of when the delegation arrangement was terminated.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2017|CM-LTSS 2017

9.15.2018 Terminated arrangements more than 90 calendar days before submission If an organization terminated an arrangement with an NCQA-Accredited/Certified/Recognized delegate more than 90 calendar days before it submitted the completed survey tool, is the organization eligible for automatic credit for the portion of the look-back period when activities were performed by the delegate?

Yes. For non-file review requirements, if the arrangement was terminated more than 90 calendar days before submission of the completed survey tool, the organization is eligible for automatic credit for the portion of the look-back period when the NCQA-Accredited/ Certified/Recognized delegate conducted activities. For file review requirements, automatic credit is applied if the delegate processed (or handled) the file, regardless of when the delegation arrangement was terminated.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2017, 2018, 2019|MBHO 2017, 2018|UM-CR 2017|UM-CR-PN 2018, 2019

9.15.2018 Revised Look-back Period for UM 7, Elements C, F, I (factors 2 and 3) In the 2019 HPA Standards and Guidelines, NCQA added a fifth bullet to the factor 2 Explanation and revised the factor 3 Explanation in UM 7, Elements C, F and I. Will NCQA give organizations a grace period for the added information in factors 2 and 3 of UM 7, Elements C, F and I?

The intent of the added language in factors 2 and 3 was to clarify the minimum information required for expedited appeals. NCQA recognizes these are new requirements, and for this reason, has added the following language to the scope of review:

Organizations must implement the changes in factors 2 and 3 for files processed on or after 11/1/18.

NCQA will post an update in December for the 2019 HP publication to reflect this change.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2019|UM-CR-PN 2019

9.14.2018 Risk of Continued Opioid Use In the HEDIS 2019 Volume 2 Technical Specifications, the Risk of Continued Opioid Use (COU) measure includes the Medicare product line; however, this measure was not included in the CMS Reporting Requirements memo for HEDIS 2019. Given this discrepancy, is the COU measure reported by Medicare plans?

The COU measure does include the Medicare product line, and it will be collected in IDSS by NCQA from Medicare plans; however, because it was not included in the CMS Reporting Requirements memo, it is not required to be reported to CMS for HEDIS 2019.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HEDIS 2019

9.07.2018 KM 13 Would the annual UDS report, by which FQHC’s are required to submit data to HRSA, be acceptable to provide as a report?

For FQHCs that are part of a larger organization with multiple practices under the same umbrella, UDS reporting would not meet KM 13 because the data is at the organizational/corporate level. The data for KM 13 must be at the practice level because recognition is at the practice level. An exception to this is for standalone practices whose UDS data is specific to the practice site location.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
PCMH 2017

8.29.2018 What is the Health Plan Medicaid Module?

NCQA Health Plan Medicaid Module is a complementary program designed to support NCQA-Accredited health plans with a Medicaid product line. The combination of the module standards and NCQA Health Plan Accreditation maximize alignment with the Medicaid Managed Care program requirements. This improves a plan’s opportunity to receive a streamlined state compliance review.

NCQA developed the module by analyzing changes to state and federal requirements for the Medicaid Managed Care programs, as outlined in the Medicaid Managed Care Rule.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2018, 2019, 2020

8.24.2018 What does Physician and Hospital Quality Certification cost?

Price varies by organization and is based on number of physicians and number of programs. Contact NCQA for pricing information.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

8.24.2018 How do I get started with Wellness and Health Promotion Accreditation/Certification?

If you are not currently Accredited or Certified and are interested in learning more, contact NCQA. If you are currently Certified and want to talk to someone about your current status, renewing or adding Certifications, submit a question through My NCQA.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
WHP 2016, Cert

8.24.2018 How do I get started with MBHO Accreditation?

If you are not currently accredited and want to learn more, contact NCQA. If you are currently accredited and want to talk to someone about your status or about renewing or adding accreditations, submit a question through My NCQA.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
MBHO 2017, 2018, 2019

8.24.2018 How long does it take to earn Physician and Hospital Quality Certification?

Once the survey is submitted, an organization receives its certification decision within 60–90 days.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:

8.24.2018 What is the process for meeting Module requirements?

The first step is a discussion with an NCQA program expert. Purchase and review the program resources, conduct a gap analysis and submit your online application.

Align your organization’s processes with the standards. NCQA conducts the survey and provides results within 30 days of the final review.

See a step-by-step process.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2018, 2019, 2020

8.24.2018 How do I get started with LTSS Distinction for Health Plans?

If you are not currently accredited and want to learn more, contact NCQA. If you are currently accredited and want to talk to someone about your status or about renewing or adding accreditations, submit a question through My NCQA.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
HP 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020