NCQA Making Changes to Medical Home Program, Seeks Comment

The National Committee for Quality Assurance, a health care accreditation firm, has released for public comment proposed changes to standards for the fifth iteration of its patient-centered medical home recognition program.

Changes emphasize outcomes measures, resource stewardship such as avoiding duplicate services, and targeting resources based on patient needs. Increased applicability of standards to pediatric practices, alignment with Stage 2 EHR meaningful use requirements and integrating behavioral health with primary care also factor into changed standards. More information on accessing the changes and making public comment, due July 22, is available here.

NCQA this year has introduced two new initiatives to support the existing core medical home recognition program. In January, it announced a new program to credential medical home “content experts” and posted its first 100 credentialed experts from 29 states in May. In March, NCQA introduced a patient-centered medical home recognition program for physician specialists outside of primary care.

http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/ncqa-recognition-accreditation-certification-medical-home-comment-46294-1.html