Software certification part of new NCQA standards - Disease Management - Brief Article

Health Management Technology, Feb, 2002

A review and certification for the design of clinical information systems is a part of the new disease management (DM) standards just released by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. In December, the NCQA finalized the industry's first broad DM accreditation program, offering not only accreditation for DM program operators, but also certification for organizations that design DM programs or software systems to help manage and support them.

NCQA developed the programs to assist the healthcare industry as it increasingly uses DM as part of the solution to control health care costs. Margaret O'Kane, NCQA president, says the "programs are designed to ensure that the enormous promise of disease management is fulfilled." She adds that accreditation and certification "will give health plans and employers an indication of which organizations have what it takes to take better care of the chronically ill."

McKesson Health Solutions, Pfizer Health Solutions and AirLogix are among the first companies to apply for NCQA review of their DM solutions. Reviews will begin by mid-year, but the 2002 DM Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation are available now by calling 888-275-7585, or visiting www.ncqa.com.