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

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8.24.2018 How does the LTSS Distinction for Health Plans help my organization?

Earning NCQA Accreditation of Case Management for LTSS can help organizations:

  • Become more efficient. A focus on coordinated care, training and measurement can help organizations reduce errors and duplicated services.
  • Integrate care better. Standards can help organizations improve communication between individuals, caregivers, providers, payers and other organizations that coordinate care.
  • Provide person-centered care. Standards focus on person-centered services, which can lead to better care planning and monitoring.
  • Support contracting needs. Standards align with the state needs. NCQA-Accredited organizations demonstrate that they’re ready to be trusted partners in coordinating LTSS services.

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8.24.2018 How does the Medicaid Module help my organization?

Meeting NCQA Medicaid Module standards can help organizations:

  • Streamline compliance activities. Compliance activities are reduced when the state uses NCQA Health Plan Accreditation and Medicaid Module standards as part of the Medicaid quality review.
  • Become more efficient. Reallocate key quality review resources to other Medicaid priorities.

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8.24.2018 How long does it take to earn Health Plan Accreditation?

The typical evaluation time frame is 12 months from application submission to decision, depending on an organization’s readiness. Some organizations may already be working within NCQA guidelines.

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8.24.2018 What is the price for the Medicaid Module Survey?

Pricing is based on multiple factors. Obtain full pricing information by submitting a request through My NCQA.

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8.24.2018 What is the process for earning Health Plan Accreditation?

The first step to earning accreditation is a discussion with an NCQA program expert. Purchase and review the program resources, conduct a gap analysis and submit your online application.

Align your organization’s processes with the standards. NCQA conducts the survey and determines your accreditation status within 30 days of the final review.

See a step-by-step process.

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8.24.2018 How do I get started with Health Plan Accreditation?

If you are not currently accredited and want to learn more, contact NCQA. If you are currently accredited and want to talk to someone about your status or about renewing or adding accreditations, submit a question through My NCQA.

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8.24.2018 What is the process for meeting Module requirements?

The first step is a discussion with an NCQA program expert. Purchase and review the program resources, conduct a gap analysis and submit your online application.

Align your organization’s processes with the standards. NCQA conducts the survey and provides results within 30 days of the final review.

See a step-by-step process.

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8.24.2018 Are there additional resources for health plans seeking LTSS Distinction?

  • LTSS Best Practices Academy: Interactive forum for professionals to discuss strategies for coordinating quality long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs.
  • LTSS Roadmap: A compilation of resources to guide organizations through meeting Case Management and Health Plan Standards for LTSS.

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8.24.2018 What organizations are eligible for the LTSS Distinction for Health Plans? What organizations are eligible?

An organization is eligible for the NCQA LTSS Distinction for a product/product line if:

  • The product/product line has a current NCQA Accreditation status, or
  • The product/product line is seeking NCQA Health Plan Accreditation.

Note:  NCQA conducts LTSS Distinction Surveys at the legal-entity level. Organizations undergoing Interim Survey are not eligible for LTSS distinction.

Health plans that coordinate LTSS and do not provide medical or behavioral services are not eligible for this distinction but can earn Accreditation of Case Management for LTSS.
 

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8.24.2018 What are Health Plan Accreditation requirements?

NCQA standards are a roadmap for improvement—organizations use them to perform a gap analysis and align improvement activities with areas that are most important to states and employers, such as network adequacy and consumer protection. Standards help plans in:

  • Quality Management and Improvement.
  • Population Health Management.
  • Network Management.
  • Utilization Management.
  • Credentialing and Recredentialing.
  • Members’ Rights and Responsibilities.
  • Member Connections.
  • Medicaid Benefits and Services.

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8.24.2018 What other organizations have earned Health Plan Accreditation?

Over 1,000 health plan products have earned NCQA Health Plan Accreditation. See the NCQA Report Card for a directory of accredited organizations.

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8.24.2018 What is Health Plan Accreditation?

NCQA Health Plan Accreditation is the most widely recognized, evidence-based program in the industry dedicated to quality improvement and measurement. It provides a comprehensive framework for organizations to align and improve operations in areas that are most important to states, employers and consumers. It’s the only evaluation program that bases results on actual measurement of clinical performance (i.e., HEDIS measures) and consumer experience (i.e., CAHPS measures).

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