FAQ Directory: Long-Term Services and Supports Distinction for Health Plans

No. The organization must provide documentation of a tracking mechanism—or mechanisms (e.g., checklist or spreadsheet)—that encompass the required provider types

HP 2019

The structure of Accreditation scoring is changing, beginning with Health Plan Accreditation 2020 and the 2020 HEDIS reporting year, when Accreditation and Health Plan Ratings will align. All organizations undergoing annual reevaluation in 2020 are included in the change to Ratings.
The links below provide information on the Health Plan Ratings, including the measures required for 2020 Accreditation.
Visit https://www.ncqa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190731_2020_Health_Plan_Ratings_Methodology.pdf for information on the HPA Methodology document.
Visit https://www.ncqa.org/programs/health-plans/health-plan-accreditation-hpa/current-customers/hpa2020/scoring-updates/ for information on  scoring updates.
Visit https://www.ncqa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2020-HP-Accreditation_HEDIS-CAHPS-Measures.pdf for the link to the HEDIS and CAHPS measures list for 2020

HP 2020

It depends. If telemedicine practitioners are credentialed under CR 1–CR 6, organizations are not required to also assess the telemedicine organization under CR 7, but if telemedicine practitioners are not credentialed under CR 1–CR 6, the telemedicine organization must be assessed under CR 7.
 

HP 2020

For Element A

• For First Surveys, NCQA reviews the organization’s plan for annual comprehensive analysis of its PHM strategy impact or the organization’s most recent annual comprehensive analysis of its PHM strategy impact.
• For Renewal Surveys, NCQA reviews the organization’s most recent annual comprehensive analysis of its PHM strategy impact.

For Element B

• Element B is NA for First Surveys.
• For Renewal Surveys, NCQA reviews the organization’s most recent annual comprehensive analysis of its PHM strategy impact.

NCQA will clarify these requirements in the November Policy Update. 

HP 2020

Because of the complexities of the workbook formulas, we are unable to change the workbook to accept “NA” in time for 2019 Standards Year surveys. To correctly calculate the notification date scoring, a date must be entered in this field.
NCQA will not require organizations to provide documentation of the decision date and will instruct surveyors to enter the earliest of

1. The written notification date(s), or
2. The verbal notification date(s) (if applicable).

Regardless of the score calculated for decision date,

1. Surveyors will not score 30 files for this factor (although if it is necessary to review 30 files for the notification date, surveyors may need to complete this field, as described above for additional files).
2. Surveyors will score the element NA in IRT.

HP 2019

No. The “Explanation” and the “Related information” sections of UM 5, Elements A, C and E still apply to UM 5, Elements B, D and F, respectively. All applicable information was moved to the relevant elements for HPA 2020.

HP 2019

For ME 5, Element C, NCQA reviews the organization’s data collection methodology. This may be in policies and procedures or described as part of the organization’s reports. NCQA also reviews the organization’s most recent assessment and actions reports completed at least once during the look-back period. 

Similarly, for ME 6, Element C, NCQA reviews the organization’s data collection methodology. This may be in policies and procedures or described as part of the organization’s reports. NCQA also reviews the organization’s annual evaluation report and improvement of identified deficiencies.

HP 2020

For MEM 2, Element C, NCQA reviews the organization’s data collection methodology. This may be in policies and procedures or described as part of the organization’s reports. NCQA also reviews the organization’s most recent assessment and actions reports completed at least once during the look-back period.
Similarly, for MEM 3, Element C, NCQA reviews the organization’s data collection methodology. This may be in policies and procedures or described as part of the organization’s reports. NCQA also reviews the organization’s annual evaluation report and improvement of identified deficiencies.

HP 2019

An “NA” score for UM 5, Elements, A, C and E will not affect the review of UM 5, Element G: UM Timeliness Report. However, NCQA still requires organizations to monitor and submit a report of timeliness of decision making and notification of decisions for UM 5, Element G.

HP 2019

The organization does not need to have value-based payments for every month of the look-back period. It reports:

• As the numerator: The value-based payments made during the look-back period, and
• As the denominator: All payments (including fee-for-service) made during the entire look-back period.

For example, the denominator is 12 months of all payments, but if there are 3 months of value-based payments in the look-back period, the numerator is the 3 months of value-based payments.

HP 2019

No. The organization is not required to include all these areas in its analysis, but at a minimum, must evaluate rates of unplanned admissions to facilities and emergency room visits to identify areas for improvement.

HP 2019

Factors 7-13 should be scored as “Met” for upheld denials sent to MAXIMUS.

HP 2018