FAQ Directory: Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization Accreditation

NCQA Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization Accreditation is a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation that reviews organizations to assure they use processes to deliver high-quality care and access. It provides a framework for organizations to align and improve operations in areas of quality improvement, care coordination, utilization management and credentialing and recredentialing and members’ rights.

MBHO 2019

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

MBHO 2019

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.

MBHO 2019

Any organization that provides managed health care services may apply for the NCQA Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization Accreditation if it meets the following criteria:

• Has been in operation for at least six months, and
• Enrolls or receives enrollment of an identifiable eligible population that is eligible to access the network, and
• Provides comprehensive behavioral health care services through an organized delivery system across a continuum of care, and
• Performs functions addressed in the standards (quality improvement, care coordination, utilization management, credentialing, member rights and responsibilities), either directly or through a service agreement, and
• Has a process for monitoring, evaluating and improving the quality and safety of care.

MBHO 2019

Find the Standards and Guidelines document in the NCQA eStore.

MBHO 2019

The standards, provide a framework for implementing best practices to improve:

• Quality Management and Improvement: Monitor, evaluate and improve the quality and safety of care.
• Care Coordination: Coordinate medical care and behavioral healthcare for its members.
• Utilization Management: Notifies members and practitioners about coverage decisions within required time frames.
• Credentialing and Recredentialing: Verifies the credentials of the practitioners in its network.

• Members’ Rights and Responsibilities: Written members’ rights and responsibilities policy exist.

To see the program requirement details, get the Standards & Guidelines document.

MBHO 2019

• Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization Accreditation:
  • Provides a framework for internal quality improvement in:
  • Quality Management and Improvement.
  • Care Coordination.
  • Utilization Management.
  • Credentialing and Recredentialing.
  • Members’ Rights and Responsibilities.
• Elevates your organization’s status in the marketplace.
• Improves contracting opportunities.
• Satisfies health plan requirements.

MBHO 2019

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 CR standards. NCQA conducts the survey and determines your accreditation status within 30 days of the final review.
See a step-by-step process.

MBHO 2019

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:

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.

MBHO 2019

The time frame for completing the initial assessment begins when the member is determined to be eligible for complex case management. A member is eligible once identified using criteria from Element B, factor 2 and data sources in Element C (e.g., claims/encounter data, hospital discharge data). The initial assessment is not used to determine eligibility, although information gathered in the assessment may make a member ineligible.

Note: There is no “opt-in” option for identifying members.
 

MBHO 2017

Voicemail meets UM requirements only when the organization notifies a practitioner about the opportunity to discuss a denial decision. The organization must document who left the message, along with the date and time it was left. Voicemail messages do not meet any other notification requirement.

MBHO 2018

Yes. If the notification indicates that members may be represented by anyone, this is acceptable because the reference to “anyone” implies “including an attorney.” If the notification lists specific types of individuals, it must also specify “an attorney.”

MBHO 2018