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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4.24.2023 Health Plan Ratings Data for Scoring What data is 2022 HPR using to score plans?

  • Commercial: MY 2021 HEDIS and CAHPS submitted to NCQA by June 2022
  • Medicaid: MY 2021 HEDIS and CAHPS submitted to NCQA by June 2022
  • Medicare: MY 2021 HEDIS, MY 2020 CAHPS and HOS

HPR 2022

4.21.2023 Health Plan Ratings 2023 Measure Weights How does NCQA weigh measures used in HPR 2023?

  • ".5" = Race/Ethnicity Diversity of Membership 
  • "1” = Process measures (e.g., screenings, visits)
  • “1.5” = Patient experience measures (CAHPS)
  • “3” = Outcome and intermediate outcome measures (e.g., HbA1c Control, Blood pressure control)

HPR 2023

4.14.2023 Depression Screening and Follow-Up for Adolescents and Adults (DSF-E) Should the Follow-Up on Positive Screen numerator include the 12-17 years age stratification?

Yes. The 12-17 years age stratification is reported for the Follow-Up on Positive Screen numerator and should be added to the age stratification on page 240 of MY 2023 HEDIS for QRS Version.

Exchange 2023

2.16.2023 Diabetes Measures* Should patients who have not been diagnosed with diabetes but take diabetes medications for off-label use (e.g., weight loss, heart failure) be excluded from the diabetes measures?

For measures with hybrid reporting methodology (HBD, BPD, EED), members who have not had a diagnosis of diabetes but receive diabetes medications for conditions other than diabetes (e.g., weight loss, heart failure) may be identified as valid data errors and replaced with a member from the oversample.
To meet criteria for a valid data error for these measures, the medical record must contain no evidence of diabetes and must contain evidence to substantiate the data error (how the member wound up in the measure, why it is incorrect). It is expected that the medical record will not contain evidence of diabetes, and will contain documentation that the patient is on the medication, and why. This documentation, in combination with no other documentation of diabetes in the medical record, meets criteria for a valid data error. Valid data errors are subject to review by the auditor.
Valid data errors work for the Hybrid Method only because medical record data are used to ensure that the member does not have diabetes. For the administrative method, these members remain in the measure as medical records are considered supplemental data that may not be used for identifying valid data errors, or when reporting the HBD, BPD and EED measures using the administrative method, or the KED, SMD, EDH and SPD measures, which are administrative-only measures.
We are working to refine the diabetes denominator related to off-label medication use. The next annual HEDIS public comment period is planned for February–March 2023, but organizations may submit comments on any measure, at any time, through PCS (you do not need to wait until February).

*This FAQ applies to the following measures: Hemoglobin A1c Control for Patients With Diabetes (HBD), Blood Pressure Control for Patients With Diabetes (BPD), Eye Exam for Patients With Diabetes (EED), Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients With Diabetes (KED), Statin Therapy for Patients With Diabetes (SPD), Diabetes Monitoring for People With Diabetes and Schizophrenia (SMD), and Emergency Department Visits for Hypoglycemia in Older Adults With Diabetes (EDH)

HEDIS 2023

2.15.2023 MBHO: Use of software for evidence-based clinical guidelines for QI 8, Element F For QI 8, Element F, factor 1, is it considered delegation if an organization uses evidenced-based clinical content licensed for use in their own case management system?

No. The use of another entity’s evidence-based content within the organization’s case management system is not considered delegation if the organization maintains control over how the content is used and can customize it as needed. The evidence used to support the content must be cited.

MBHO 2023

2.15.2023 CM: Use of software for evidence-based clinical guidelines for CM 4, Element A For CM 4, Element A, factor 1, is it considered delegation if an organization uses evidenced-based clinical content licensed for use in their own case management system?

No. The use of another entity’s evidence-based content within the organization’s case management system is not considered delegation if the organization maintains control over how the content is used and can customize it as needed. The evidence used to support the content must be cited.

CM 2020

2.15.2023 Recent updates to the MA Deeming Module NCQA updated the 2023 Medicare Advantage (MA) Deeming Module to incorporate changes mandated by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and as codified in the January 2021 Part C and D final rule. Do these changes apply to the 2022 MA Deeming Module?

Yes. The following changes apply to the 2022 MA Deeming Module:

  • MA 19, Element A:
    • Clarified that the organization’s delegation agreements for MA standards must include a statement requiring delegates to adhere to MA regulations.
  • SNP 2, Element A:
    • Revised factor 3 to reference both initial and annual health risk assessments (HRAs).
    • Clarified in the explanation that the organization must conduct an initial and annual HRA using a comprehensive HRA tool and ensure that results are addressed in the member’s individualized care plan, as required under 422.101(f)(1)(ii).
  • SNP 2, Element C:
    • Added factor 2: “The organization annually, and within the first 12 months of enrollment, conducts face-to-face encounters between the member and their care team.” The face-for-face encounter must be either in person or through visual, real-time, interactive telehealth.
    • Adjusted the scoring to reflect the new factor.
    • Revised the explanation to include “Factor 2: Face-to-face encounter” subhead and text. The encounter must be between the member and representative from any of the following:
      • The ICT.
      • The organization’s case management and coordination staff.
      • A health care provider contracted with the health plan.
  • SNP 3, Element A:
    • Revised factor 5 to read: “Including the ICT, as outlined in SNP 2, Element C, to oversee the MOC’s evaluation and monitoring process.”
    • Revised the scope of review to clarify that the organization includes the ICT in the monitoring and evaluation process.
    • Replaced the “Factor 5: Appropriate personnel” subhead with “Factor 5: The ICT” and revised the explanation to read:
      • The organizational chart documents the organization’s reporting structure and staff responsible for administering the MOC program, including the ICT, as specified in SNP 2, Element C, factor 1. According to the defined MOC, the organization must use an ICT to manage member care. The ICT includes:
        • Practitioners with demonstrated expertise and training,
        • Training in a defined role appropriate to their licensure in treating individuals similar to the targeted population of the organization, as applicable.

HP 2022

2.15.2023 Use of software for evidence-based clinical guidelines for PHM 5, Element B For PHM 5, Element B, factor 1, is it considered delegation if an organization uses evidenced-based clinical content licensed for use in their own case management system?

No. The use of another entity’s evidence-based content within the organization’s case management system is not considered delegation if the organization maintains control over how the content is used and can customize it as needed. The evidence used to support the content must be cited.

HP 2023

2.15.2023 Use of software to collect credentialing information Is it considered delegation if an organization uses software to only collect credentialing information?

No. The use of another entity’s software to collect credentialing information is not considered delegation unless the other entity also reviews the information on the organization's behalf. NCQA standards allow organizations to use software to collect credentialing information from approved sources, as long as organization staff document that the information was reviewed and verified.

CM 2023

1.09.2023 PCSP January 2023 Summary of Updates What changes were made to the PCSP Standards and Guidelines for Version 5.1?

TopicUpdate Highlights
Front MatterAdded definitions of “electronic health record (EHR)” and “certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT).”
TC 05Added a note that beginning in 2024, practices will be required to have an EHR.
KM 09Added a note that gender identify and sexual orientation requirements apply to all patients 18 years of age and older.
CM 10Replaced “person-driven outcomes approach” with “person-centered outcomes approach.”

PCSP 2019

1.09.2023 January 2023 Summary of Updates What changes were made to the PCMH Standards and Guidelines for Version 8.1?

TopicUpdate Highlights
Front MatterAdded definitions of “electronic health record (EHR)” and “certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT).”
TC 05Added a note that beginning in 2024, practices will be required to have an EHR.
KM 09Added a note that gender identify and sexual orientation requirements apply to all patients 18 years of age and older.
CM 10Replaced “person-driven outcomes approach” with “person-centered outcomes approach.”
QI 08 & QI 09PCMH QI 08 and QI 09: Added notes stating that if the measures reported in QI 01 or QI 02 do not leave room for improvement, practices may choose different measures within the categories to focus improvement efforts on. 

PCMH 2017

12.27.2022 Annual Reporting Why are evaluators asking for the practice to provide an explanation for performance rates? What should the explanation consist of?

Evaluators may ask practices to provide an explanation, or context and reasoning, for the data submitted. If a reported performance rate seems too low (or too high), the evaluator may ask the practice to enter an explanation of the performance in the Notes section of QPASS.  

Practices are expected to provide a clear and succinct response as to why their performance rate is low, or unusually high. Because practices are expected to have fully implemented PMCH workflows and processes, the Review Oversight Committee (ROC) members would like to understand the reasoning behind the reported performance rates.  

PCMH 2017