NCQA proposes patient experiences recognition
The National Committee for Quality Assurance is seeking public comment on the development of standards and measures for an optional patient-centered medical home recognition in patient experiences.
The NCQA decided to pursue the optional recognition after receiving many comments suggesting more inclusion of the patient voice during the development of the 2011 updated standards for the PCMH Recognition Program. NCQA is seeking comment on the proposed survey measure and the requirements for collecting and reporting data.
Practices wanting to earn the optional recognition will have to collect data using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) PCMH Survey and report results to NCQA using a NCQA Certified Survey Vendor approved to conduct the CAHPS PCMH Survey. Approved vendors will be identified by December.
[See also: Medical home model more efficient for docs.]
Initial results from data collection will not be published publicly or used to score practices because currently there are no national data sources for benchmarking performance on patient experience. When enough data for benchmarking is available, NCQA plans on developing a mechanism for scoring and reporting results.
The patient experiences option will be offered in conjunction with NCQA’s PCMH Recognition Program beginning in the spring of 2012. While the recognition for patient experiences is separate from the PCMH recognition, those practices that obtain NCQA patient experiences recognition may receive credit with the PCMH Recognition Program.
Public comment will be accepted through 5 p.m. (EST) June 17.
