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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8.20.2018 How long does it take to earn Accreditation?

The typical evaluation time frame is 12 months from application submission to decision, depending on an organization’s readiness. Some organizations may already be working within NCQA guidelines.

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

8.20.2018 What are the Case Management Accreditation requirements?

Case Management Accreditation assesses an organization’s performance in the following key areas:

  • Identification and assessment
  • Care planning
  • Care monitoring
  • Care transitions
  • Measurement and quality improvement

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2017, 2014

8.20.2018 What is Case Management Accreditation?

NCQA Case Management Accreditation is a comprehensive, evidence-based program dedicated to quality improvement that evaluates the operations of case management programs in provider, payer or community-based organizations. NCQA-Accredited organizations demonstrate they have the internal processes and service delivery structure to cost-effectively meet the complex patient needs to improve health or functional capability.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2017, 2014, 2013

8.20.2018 How do I get started?

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:
CM 2017, 2014

8.20.2018 How long does it take to earn Case Management Accreditation?

The typical evaluation time frame is 12 months from application submission to decision, depending on an organization’s readiness. Some organizations may already be working within NCQA guidelines.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2017, 2014

8.20.2018 How do I get started with LTSS Accreditation? How-do-I-get-started-with-LTSS-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:
CM-LTSS 2017

8.20.2018 What is the process for earning Accreditation?

The first step to earning accreditation 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 determines your accreditation status within 30 days of the final review.

See a step-by-step process.

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

8.20.2018 How does this Accreditation help my organization?

Earning NCQA’s Accreditation of Case Management for LTSS can help organizations:

  • Become more efficient. A focus on coordinated care, training and measurement can help organizations reduce errors and duplicated services.
  • Integrate care better. Standards can help organizations improve communication between individuals, caregivers, providers, payers and other organizations that coordinate care.
  • Provide person-centered care. Standards focus on person-centered services, which can lead to better care planning and monitoring.
  • Support contracting needs. Standards align with the needs of states and MCOs. NCQA-Accredited organizations demonstrate that they’re ready to be trusted partners in coordinating LTSS services.

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

8.20.2018 What other organizations have earned Case Management Accreditation?

More than forty organizations have earned NCQA Credentialing Accreditation. See the NCQA Report Card for a directory of accredited organizations.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2017, 2014

8.20.2018 What organizations are eligible for Case Management Accreditation?

Case Management Accreditation is for organizations that provide a broad range of case management services for complex and high-risk populations. Organizations are eligible if it:

  • Provides case management services for at least 6 months.
  • Delivers a broad range of case management services for complex or high-risk populations.
  • Perform functions covered in the accreditation program or arrange for the functions to be performed, directly or through a service agreement.

Manage valid sample size of individuals for NCQA evaluation, where standards require patient file review.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2017, 2014

8.20.2018 What is the process for earning Case Management Accreditation?

The first step to earning accreditation 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 determines your accreditation status within 30 days of the final review.

See a step-by-step process.

This applies to the following Programs and Years:
CM 2017, 2014

8.17.2018 General Our practice is interested in attaining PCMH PRIME Certification. How do we get started?

First, go to the HPC’s website to complete a short application indicating your practice’s intent to pursue PCMH PRIME.

Once your practice has submitted the HPC application and is ready for next steps with NCQA, you should apply through the new NCQA Q-PASS system. The PCMH PRIME application is separate from the PCMH application in Q-PASS. Practices may apply for PCMH PRIME Certification separately or concurrently with the PCMH Recognition process and Annual Reporting.

  • For PCMH 2011 (except Level 1) and PCMH 2014 Level 1 or 2 Recognized practices:
    • Practices planning to undergo the PCMH 2017 Recognition process in the near future are encouraged to apply for PCMH 2017 Recognition and PCMH PRIME Certification concurrently. Applying to these programs concurrently may make your practice eligible for a discount on the PCMH Recognition survey tool; please contact Government Recognition Initiative and Projects (GRIP) Staff at pcmh-grip@ncqa.org for more information.
    • Recognized practices not planning to renew their PCMH Recognition in the near future may apply for PCMH PRIME Certification separately, at any time.

§  For PCMH 2014 Level 3 or PCMH 2017 Recognized practices:

  • Practices that are maintaining PCMH Recognition through the Annual Reporting process may apply for PCMH PRIME Certification concurrently or separately from the Annual Reporting process, whichever is most convenient for the practice.
  • For Practices without PCMH Recognition:
    •  Practices must attain PCMH Recognition in order to be eligible for PCMH PRIME Certification. Such practices are encouraged to apply for PCMH 2017 Recognition and PCMH PRIME Certification concurrently. Applying to these programs concurrently may make your practice eligible for a discount on the PCMH Recognition survey tool; please contact GRIP Staff, pcmh-grip@ncqa.org, for more information.

This applies to the following Programs and Years: