NCQA certifies medical home experts

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently announced that 100 healthcare professionals from 29 states are the first to earn the designation of NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Certified Content Experts.

The newly certified experts included physicians, nurses, allied healthcare providers, social workers, psychologists, medical technicians, hospital administrators and independent consultants. 

Patricia Lynch, director of clinical and provider services at Healthways, was one of the first to be certified. “During the course, NCQA instructors do a very thorough job of explaining the standards as well as the application process for physician offices seeking recognition,” Lynch said. “This certification has given me the tools that I need to provide direct or indirect support to physician offices as effectively as possible.”

The Certified Content Experts completed two rigorous PCMH education seminars and passed a comprehensive exam validating their knowledge of NCQA Recognition standards and guidelines, application procedures, survey processes and documentation requirements.

Malinda Buratti is senior manager of system redesign at CommUnityCare, Austin, Texas and also one of the first to be certified. “As a registered nurse that practiced inpatient OB for more than 15 years, I have a certification in inpatient obstetrics,” Buratti said. “That certification means that I know and understand inpatient obstetrics. I saw that the PCMH content expert certification had the potential to mean the same thing. Patient-centered care isn’t going to go away and has the potential to greatly impact patient care in a very positive way. I want to be part of that.”

According to Kathleen Mudd, vice president of product delivery at NCQA, the certification program has been something practices and consultants have been asking for. “Even though we just launched the PCMH content expert certification program, I think people already see the value of also having this credential as it relates to our patient-centered specialty practice recognition,” said Mudd. “I’m confident that this program is going to have a lot of traction.”

The designation of NCQA PCMH Certified Content Expert is valid for two years and is renewable. Study materials were provided by NCQA and co-developed with Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP). The exam is offered at approximately 200 AMP testing facilities around the country and those taking the exam are allowed three hours to complete it.