NCQA Updates HEDIS Measures for Telehealth

NCQA Updates HEDIS Measures for Telehealth

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on our lives. It has also had a massive impact on the healthcare industry and how it operates. Due to the pandemic, there has been an increased focus on telehealth and its ability to provide care efficiently and effectively. As such, the NCQA has updated HEDIS measures related to telehealth.

Why does this matter?

These new changes are important as health plants and physicians have embraced the benefits of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes apply to healthcare-quality measures beginning in 2020 and will align with recent telehealth guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

What measures are being updated?

There are updates to 40 measures that will be reflected in HEDIS Volume 2 Technical Specifications. These measures include:

Prevention and Screening
Weight Assessment and Counseling for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children/Adolescents
Breast Cancer Screening
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Care for Older Adults

Respiratory
Use of Spirometry Testing in the Assessment and Diagnosis of COPD
Asthma Medication Ratio

Cardiovascular Conditions
Controlling High Blood Pressure
Persistence of Beta-Blocker Treatment After a Heart Attack
Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
NEW MEASURE: Cardiac Rehabilitation 

Diabetes
Comprehensive Diabetes Care
NEW MEASURE: Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients with Diabetes
Statin Therapy for Patients with Diabetes

Musculoskeletal Conditions
Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Scheduled for Retirement
Osteoporosis Management in Women Who Had a Fracture
NEW MEASURE: Osteoporosis Screening in Older Women

Behavioral Health
Antidepressant Medication Management
Follow-up Care for Children Prescribed ADHD Medication
Follow-up After Hospitalization for Mental Illness
Follow-up After Emergency Department Visit for Mental Illness
Diabetes Screening for People with Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Who Are Using Antipsychotic Medication
Cardiovascular Monitoring for People with Cardiovascular Disease and Schizophrenia
Diabetes Monitoring for People with Diabetes and Schizophrenia
Adherence to Antipsychotic Medications for Individuals with Schizophrenia

Care Coordination
Transitions of Care
Follow-up After Emergency Department Visit for People with Multiple High-Risk Chronic Conditions

Access/Availability of Care
Prenatal and Postpartum Care
Use of First-Line Psychosocial Care for Children and Adolescents on Antipsychotics

Utilization
Well-Child Visits in the First 30 Months of Life
Child and Adolescent Well Care Visits
Mental Health Utilization

Risk-Adjusted Utilization
Plan All-Cause Readmissions
Hospitalization Following Discharge from a Skilled Nursing Facility
Acute Hospital Utilization
Emergency Department Utilization
Hospitalization for Potentially Preventable Complications

Measures Reported Using Electronic Clinical Data Systems
Utilization of the PHQ-9 to Monitor Depression Symptoms for Adolescents and Adults
Depression Screening and Follow-up for Adolescents and Adults
Postpartum Depression Screening and Follow-up
Prenatal Depression Screening and Follow-up
Breast Cancer Screening
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Follow-up Care for Children Prescribed ADHD Medication

Contact HEDIS Nurses for assistance with your HEDIS work today!

At HEDIS Nurses, we know the importance of keeping up to date with your HEDIS work and the changes that are constantly occurring. Thankfully, if you are too swamped, we can help out. Since 0, we have been helping health plan representatives with their HEDIS chart abstractions and other work. If you are interested in obtaining our services, give us a call today at (877) 328-2343.

To learn more about the reliable and quality HEDIS and chart abstraction services that we offer, visit us on the web at HEDIS Nurses.