NCQA Recognizes 52 Hudson Valley Medical Homes For Putting Patients First

Practices awarded designation of "Distinction" for submitting CAHPS PCMH survey results

FISHKILL, N.Y., July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has awarded 52 Hudson Valley patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) the designation of "Distinction" because they submitted the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) PCMH Survey results to NCQA. 

"We are pleased--but not surprised--that these practices have achieved this NCQA honor," says Annette C. Watson, RN-BC, CCM, MBA, senior vice president of Community Transformation for Taconic IPA and immediate past chair of the Commission for Case Manager Certification. "Taconic IPA has long been focused on creating a culture focused on patient-centered care. It was evidenced in our 2010 medical home project that worked with physician practices to help them achieve Level 3 PCMH recognition from NCQA. It is also essential to our current Advanced Medical Home Transformation project that deploys RN case managers in primary care practices to coordinate care for patients most in need."

Participating practices captured patient and family feedback through the survey, demonstrating their commitment to patient engagement and laying the groundwork for using the results to track improvement and compare performance. Two organizations sponsored the CAHPS Distinction practices: Taconic IPA and the Rhode Island Quality Institute. Of the 60 sites recognized, TIPA accounted for 52 sites--267 providers at 10 practices.

"NCQA CAHPS Distinction means a practice excels at listening to patients—a key to high-quality, 21st century primary care," said Margaret O'Kane, president, NCQA. "I commend the providers of Hudson Valley, New York for taking great interest in their patients and for laying the groundwork to track quality improvement."

The survey is a variation of the CAHPS Clinician & Group Survey that NCQA worked to create with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The Commonwealth Fund supported part of the costs of the new survey's development. 

About Taconic IPA
The Taconic IPA is a 5,000-member physician group at the forefront of transforming health care delivery through meaningful use of technology and pay-for-performance incentives to increase the quality and cost effectiveness of patient care. Taconic IPA's mission is to optimize the value of medical services through patient-centered care while maximizing physician satisfaction. For more information, visit www.taconicipa.com.

About the Hudson Valley Initiative
The Hudson Valley Initiative is an effort among three organizations—Taconic IPA, Taconic Health Information Network and Community and MedAllies—to revolutionize health care delivery through a shared vision to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care in the community. These three organizations leverage health information technology, physician practice transformation and value-based purchasing in pursuit of care delivery that is patient-centered, coordinated, accessible, high quality and efficiently delivered through sustainable financial models. To learn more, go to www.hudsonvalleyinitiative.com.

About NCQA
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.

SOURCE Hudson Valley Initiative