Level of Analysis Required for Appointment Accessibility
No. NCQA does not require the analysis to be stratified by practitioner type.
FAQ Directory: Health Plan Accreditation
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9.15.2018 Does the organizational analysis in NET 2, Element A need to be stratified by practitioner type?
9.15.2018 If an organization terminated an arrangement with an NCQA-Accredited/Certified/Recognized delegate more than 90 calendar days before it submitted the completed survey tool, is the organization eligible for automatic credit for the portion of the look-back period when activities were performed by the delegate?
Terminated arrangements more than 90 calendar days before submission
Yes. If the arrangement was terminated more than 90 calendar days before submission of the completed survey tool, the organization is eligible for automatic credit for the portion of the look-back period when the NCQA-Accredited/Certified/Recognized delegate conducted activities.
9.15.2018 In the 2019 HPA Standards and Guidelines, NCQA added a fifth bullet to the factor 2 Explanation and revised the factor 3 Explanation in UM 7, Elements C, F and I. Will NCQA give organizations a grace period for the added information in factors 2 and 3 of UM 7, Elements C, F and I?
Revised Look-back Period for UM 7, Elements C, F, I (factors 2 and 3)
The intent of the added language in factors 2 and 3 was to clarify the minimum information required for expedited appeals. NCQA recognizes these are new requirements, and for this reason, has added the following language to the scope of review:
Organizations must implement the changes in factors 2 and 3 for files processed on or after 11/1/18.
NCQA will post an update in December for the 2019 HP publication to reflect this change.
9.15.2018 In UM 7, Elements B, E and H and UM 9, Element D, the explanation under Factor 1: states that the reason for denial should not include abbreviations or acronyms that are not defined. Similar language is in UM 8 A. Does this mean that they must be spelled out (e.g., “We are denying your request for a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test because…”) or explained (“We are denying your request for a DNA test, which is a test that looks at your genetic information in order to…”), or both?
Updated: Use of Acronyms in UM Denial and Appeal Notices
The intent of the requirement is that the denial or appeal notice be written in language that can be easily understood by members. Because abbreviations/acronyms may include terms that are not easily understood, even when spelled out, they must be explained. NCQA is updating the explanation under each applicable factor of the referenced elements to read:
The denial [appeal] notification states the reason for the denial [upholding the denial] in terms specific to the member’s condition or request and in language that is easy to understand, so the member and practitioner understand why the organization denied the request [upheld the denial] and have enough information to file an appeal.
An appropriately written notification includes a complete explanation of the grounds for the denial, in language that a layperson would understand, and does not include abbreviations, acronyms or health care procedure codes that a layperson would not understand. The organization is not required to spell out abbreviations/acronyms if they are clearly explained in lay language. Denial [Appeal] notifications sent only to practitioners may include technical or clinical terms.
NCQA will post an update in December for the 2018 and 2019 HP and UM-CR-PN and 2018 MBHO publications to reflect this change.
9.15.2018 Are organizations required to address life-planning activities at the first contact and start of the CCM initial assessment?
Life-planning activities for Complex Case Management (CCM) Policies and Assessment
No. After consideration, NCQA removed the requirement for case managers to address life-planning activities at the start of the initial assessment (first contact). This FAQ replaces the previous FAQ issued on October 15, 2017 (which has been deleted) regarding first contact, and the workbook has been adjusted to accommodate the change.
9.15.2018 For QI 6, Element A, factor 5, are organizations required to have implemented a preventive behavioral healthcare program in order to meet the factor?
Data collection for prevention programs for behavioral healthcare for QI 6, Element A, factor 5
No. Element A does not require organizations to implement a preventive behavioral healthcare program. The intent of factor 5 is that organizations collect data to determine if there are behavioral health issues that could be prevented if a program were to be implemented. Organizations collect data to meet Element A. Identifying the opportunity for such a program and implementing it is applicable to Element B.
9.06.2018 What is the Health Plan Medicaid Module?
NCQA Health Plan Medicaid Module is a complementary program designed to support NCQA-Accredited health plans with a Medicaid product line. The combination of the module standards and NCQA Health Plan Accreditation maximize alignment with the Medicaid Managed Care program requirements. This improves a plan’s opportunity to receive a streamlined state compliance review. NCQA developed the module by analyzing changes to state and federal requirements for the Medicaid Managed Care programs, as outlined in the Medicaid Managed Care Rule.