FAQ Directory: Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH)

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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 14 Can the same report be used if the practice does medication reconciliation at least annually? How is KM 14 different from KM 15?

Yes. Medication reconciliation (KM 14) includes the process to check for drug and condition interactions in addition to confirming the list of medications with the patient (KM 15). The evaluator may probe for the practice’s process to confirm the same report can be used.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 02 What is the required frequency for a patient health assessment

NCQA does not prescribe a frequency; practices determine the time frame for conducting and updating patient health assessments according to a protocol that suits their patient population, aligns with evidence-based guidelines and allows for meaningful evaluation of data.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 17 May practices assess response only to medications treating a specific disease of interest?

No. Practices must ask about all medications prescribed to the patient and assess their efficacy, especially for patients identified in CM 01 as needing care management. Patients may have multiple comorbidities and medications, so it is crucial to evaluate their response and barriers to adherence for all medications prescribed to them.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 02F What is NCQA looking for when assessing a patient’s social functioning?

For social functioning, NCQA is looking for the practice to assess and document an individual's ability to interact with others, to maintain relationships with friends or perform work. Several scales for the evaluation of social functioning are available (e.g., SFQ, SASS, GAF); however, NCQA does not require practices to utilize a standardized evaluation tool. If the practice does not elect to implement a specific assessment tool, it may consider developing its own set of questions based on its patient population. There may be some aspects of social functioning that the care team can determine by observation.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 20 What types of evidence are acceptable as examples of demonstrating implementation of clinical decision support?

Use of flow sheets, demonstration of EHR prompts or other evidence of guideline implementation with which the provider is alerted when a specific service or action is needed at the point of care, based on evidence-based guidelines, would meet the intent of KM 20. In addition to the evidence, practices must also provide information on the condition addressed by the clinical decision support and the source of the evidence-based guideline on which the clinical decision support is based. 

Flow charts, copies of guidelines or empty templates do not demonstrate implementation of clinical decision support. These items show the guideline, but do not demonstrate its use at the point of care

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 16 Do excerpts from medical records indicating that new medications and side effects were reviewed with the patient/family/caregiver meet the requirement?

No. For KM 16, the practice must both (1) generate a report that demonstrates more than 50 percent of patients have documentation in their medical record that they were assessed and provided education on new prescriptions and (2) demonstrate evidence of the process, which could include showing a patient medical record during virtual review. It is up to the practice to determine the best method for sharing new medication information with patients, and the practice should consider patient language, literacy and health literacy in providing information or materials.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 20 A Does use of the PHQ-2 or PHQ-9 meet the requirements of KM 20 A?

Yes. Use of PHQ-2/PHQ-9 meets the requirement if practices demonstrate its use in monitoring depression treatment and provide an example of the tool’s implementation in clinical care and decision making at the point of care. The intent of KM 20 A is to implement clinical decision support during treatment, not for screening or diagnosis of a mental health condition. Practices that use an evidence-based tool built into the EHR or as part of a workflow in accordance with clinical guidelines can meet the requirements if they demonstrate the guideline and an example of the guidelines implementation (i.e., the tool’s use).

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 01 What kind of report is NCQA looking for as evidence, and what is the required reporting period

Practices should provide a report that demonstrates they update patient problem lists based on visits, transfer of information from other providers or information from the patient. As patient problem lists are expected to be updated at least annually, practices will want to monitor their rate on a periodic basis. Practices define the reporting period and frequency that allows meaningful evaluation of data.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 QI 02A May practices submit a measure for completed mammograms as a care coordination measure?

A measure evaluating completed mammograms qualifies as a care coordination measure if the practice is evaluating the rate of mammography results received (numerator) to mammography’s ordered (denominator). For QI 02A, NCQA wants to evaluate gaps in communication or coordination between members of the care team (providers and patients). Measuring the practice’s mammography rates does not meet the intent of a care coordination measure, but measuring timely receipt of results of a referral meets the intent.

PCMH 2017

5.24.2018 KM 02 I Do patients of all ages need to be included in this requirement?

No. If a patient is considered an adult by the practice (typically 18 or older), the practice should have an advance care planning discussion with the patient, and the results of that discussion should be documented in the patient medical record.

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