FAQs: Digital Health Engagement

What Is Accreditation in Digital Health Engagement?

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.

Who Is This Accreditation Program For?

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.

Why Was This Accreditation Created?

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.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

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.

How Long Is This Accreditation Valid?

Accreditation in Digital Health Engagement is valid for three years.

What Are the Benefits of Obtaining This Accreditation?

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

How Does This New Accreditation Differ From the Current Wellness & Health Promotion (WHP) Program?

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.

If My Organization Currently Is Accredited or Certified With WHP, What Are Our Next Steps?

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).