National Committee for Quality Assurance

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National Committee for Quality Assurance

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a non-profit organization in the United States that works to improve health care quality through the administration of evidence-based standards, measures, programs, and accreditation. Founded in 1990, NCQA is a key player in the health care industry, providing a framework for quality improvement and accountability.

History

The NCQA was established in 1990 with the goal of improving the quality of health care in the United States. It was created in response to growing concerns about the variability in health care quality and the need for standardized measures to assess and improve care.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the NCQA is to improve the quality of health care by providing a framework for organizations to measure and improve their performance. The goals of the NCQA include:

• Developing and maintaining evidence-based standards and measures.
• Accrediting health care organizations that meet these standards.
• Providing information to consumers, employers, and other stakeholders about the quality of health care organizations.

Programs and Services

The NCQA offers a variety of programs and services designed to improve health care quality, including:

• Accreditation Programs: NCQA provides accreditation for health plans, medical groups, and other health care organizations. Accreditation is based on rigorous standards and is a mark of quality.
• HEDIS: The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is a tool used by health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service.
• Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH): The PCMH program recognizes primary care practices that focus on coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Quality Measures: NCQA develops and maintains a variety of quality measures that are used to assess the performance of health care organizations.

Impact on Health Care

The NCQA has had a significant impact on the health care industry by promoting quality improvement and accountability. Its accreditation programs and quality measures are widely used by health plans, providers, and purchasers to assess and improve care.

Criticism and Challenges

While the NCQA is widely respected, it has faced criticism and challenges. Some stakeholders argue that the accreditation process can be burdensome and costly. Others have raised concerns about the focus on process measures rather than outcomes.

Related Pages

• Health care quality
• Accreditation
• Patient-Centered Medical Home
• Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set