Digital health and wellness tools provide flexibility and accessibility, but they can also present risk.
Digital Health Engagement Standards and Guidelines
The new program standards are now available.
Why This Accreditation Matters
Establishes a common language for quality in digital wellness and condition management
Reinforces trust in how digital tools assess, engage, and support individuals
Helps purchasers and partners differentiate solutions using consistent standards
Encourages measurable outcomes tied to engagement and intervention effectiveness
Quality in Action
Wellness Landscape
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Over $730 billion in U.S. health care spending is linked to modifiable risk factors such as high blood pressure and poor diet.
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In 2023, 76% of adults in the U.S. reported having at least one or more chronic conditions that could significantly impact their well-being.
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Every $1 spent on wellness programs can save the health system around $3 in medical costs.
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76% of adults report having at least one or more chronic conditions that impact their well-being—many that could be addressed through behavior change.
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U.S. adults report feeling physically unhealthy 4 days and mentally unhealthy 5 days in an average month.
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Only 51% of adults and 24% of children meet the guidelines for daily physical activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accreditation in Digital Health Engagement is an NCQA accreditation program that evaluates an organization’s ability to design, implement, and sustain programs that support whole-person health. It focuses on evidence-based, member-led wellness, prevention, and condition management strategies that improve health outcomes, support behavior change, and align with best practices for population health management.
This accreditation is designed for organizations, such as digital tools and apps, that empower members to manage their own health and wellbeing between provider visits through assessments, self-management and/or coaching. Organizations across the risk continuum are eligible for this product.
This program was inspired by NCQA’s Wellness and Health Promotion program and evolved to reflect the realities of technology in our day-to-day lives. Organizations are increasingly integrating physical, behavioral, and social factors into their programs, using data and technology to personalize interventions and demonstrate impact. This accreditation provides a clear, credible way to assess program quality, accountability, and collect outcomes in a standardized way.
To participate in this program, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Support members in managing their own health and wellbeing between provider visits through assessments, self-management, and/or coaching.
- Operate using a patient-led, rather than provider-led, model.
- Have processes in place for monitoring, evaluating and improving the quality and safety of services provided to eligible individuals and participants.
- Have data to demonstrate outcomes, including return on investment, member engagement and members’ health improvement.
If you answered yes to all questions, your organization is likely a strong candidate for this program. If you answered no, please reach out to a member of our team through my.ncqa.org and they will help determine the best next step for your organization.
Accreditation in Digital Health Engagement is valid for three years.
Organizations that earn this accreditation can:
- Demonstrate credibility and commitment to evidence-based wellness and condition management
- Differentiate their programs and solutions in a competitive marketplace
- Build trust with purchasers, partners, and stakeholders
- Strengthen internal program consistency, governance, and performance measurement
- Align wellness and condition management efforts with nationally recognized standards
The new accreditation reflects a broader, more integrated approach to health. The updated program’s focus spans the risk continuum from risk reduction and wellness promotion to condition management. The evolved program also better reflects the ways organizations engage members—including apps, messaging, and remote tools—while placing a greater emphasis on outcomes rather than policies and procedures. This is increasingly important as purchasers are increasingly focused on assessing vendors’ ability to demonstrate outcomes and measure engagement consistently.
WHP Accreditation will be retired in July 2027. Current WHP customers with renewal dates before July 2027 will have the opportunity to renew into WHP one more time. Your organization’s accreditation will last for three years and certifications for two. Once WHP is retired, organizations will not be able to achieve status, but previously issued status will remain until the accreditation or certification expires. At that time, organizations will have the opportunity to transition to NCQA’s new Accreditation in Digital Health Engagement (DHE).
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