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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5.24.2018 KM 03 Clarify the language in the guidance stating, “screening for adults for depression with systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and follow-up.”

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) states that adults and adolescents should be screened for depression when a practice has access to services that can be used for follow-up, if there is a positive result (i.e., mental health providers within the practice or external to the practice to whom the practice can refer patients). To meet KM 03, practices are expected to have an approach to follow up and act on results.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 QI 02 What do you mean by “resource stewardship”?

By resource stewardship, we mean ensuring responsible use of resources while providing high quality, efficient, patient-centered primary care as it relates measures affecting health care costs and care coordination.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 12 Are practices required to provide a separate letter, phone script or other method for each service needed?

No. Practices may demonstrate the same evidence if:

  • The same method of outreach is used for each service.
  • Practices demonstrate an example of the outreach used. 

Practices must provide information about how the letter, phone script or other method is modified for each service reminder. 

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 02 What if the patient answers “No” or does not want to provide information?

Medical records should clearly indicate that the patient has been asked about the specific item by including a notation that the patient answered “No” or declined to answer. Practices do not lose credit if the patient says “No” or declines to answer as long as it is documented. 

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 02 How do practices produce the report required for CM 02? How does it relate to CM 01?

CM 02 requires practices to create a process using criteria defined in CM 01 to identify patients for care management. The practice may use any method to identify these patients. For CM 02, practices need only provide a report showing the percentage of patients calculated from the number of patients identified using the defined criteria (numerator) in comparison to the entire patient population (denominator).
Note: Practices select at least three categories (CM 01) to define the subset of the patient population for care management for CM 02, and identify a population for care management (at least 30 patients) so they can report the criteria outlined in Competency B. Patients across the categories identified in CM 01 should be represented in the population identified for CM 02.
 

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 02 If a patient sample for the Record Review Workbook includes both pediatric and adult patients, do practices need to provide an example of each patient population for each criterion?

No. Practices with a patient sample that includes both pediatric and adult patients for reporting provide at least one pediatric example and at least one adult example for the criteria outlined in Competency B, but are not required to provide a pediatric example and an adult example for each criterion.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 01C Does our practice meet the requirements if we use 65 years of age and older as the criterion for patients with poorly controlled or complex conditions?

No. Using only this age group does not meet the requirements. Identification of poorly controlled or complex patients can include older patients (e.g., >65 years) who also meet other high-risk criteria such as co-morbid conditions, frequent hospitalizations, mental health problems or frailty.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 01D What are examples of social determinants of health?

Social determinants of health are conditions in the environment that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks and include:

  • Availability of resources to meet daily needs.
  • Access to educational, economic and job opportunities.
  • Public safety, social support.
  • Social norms and attitudes.
  • Exposure to crime, violence and social disorder.
  • Socioeconomic conditions.
  • Residential segregation.

Source: Healthy People 2020: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health.
 

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 01D Is identifying a Medicare patient population considered a social determinant of health?

Although “older adult patients” is an acceptable criterion for social determinants, it should be based on patients’ access to care or needs due to their social situation (e.g., living alone, not being able to drive to an appointment, food insecurity). Because social aspects associated with age may not apply to all patients over 65, Medicare enrollment alone may not be the best indicator.
Remember that patients identified in CM 01 are those who may benefit from care management and for whom a care plan is expected in the criteria outlined in Competency B. If the population is large because it includes all Medicare patients, the practice may want to reexamine the criteria to ensure that appropriate patients are identified.
 

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 04 What are the parameters for a care plan?

A care plan is based on the acute, chronic and preventive care needs of a patient and can include patient preferences and goals; treatment goals and status; assessment of barriers and strategies to address them; current problems and medications; allergies; and a self-care plan. This criterion requires practices to document a patient-centered view of the care plan and share the plan with the patient. A care plan does not need to be re-created at each visit but must be reviewed and updated as needed.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 04 How is advance care planning different from care planning?

Care planning supports patients identified for care management in CM 01 in managing their care to achieve target goals. Advance care planning (KM 02 I) is the care planning process with an end of life focus to address patient care when they cannot speak for themselves or are at the end of life.
 

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 CM 01E Does a patient referral for care management from an ED meet the requirements of this item within CM 01?

Yes. This factor requires a documented process for handling referrals made by outside organizations (e.g., insurers, health system, ACO, other providers), practice staff or patient/ family/caregiver for patients that might need additional care management support; an ED is an outside organization.
Note: A report or patient list of referrals is not required for this factor.
 

PCMH 2017