This blog post was written by our guest blogger, Susan Maxsween, Practice Transformation Manager, here at Research & Marketing Strategies (RMS).

Not everyone likes to admit they need help. In fact, most people would rather dive headfirst into the unknown without a clue. This rings true both on the individual scale (such as the age-old myth that men refuse to ask for directions for fear of hurting their pride), and the broader picture. More is at risk when things aren’t up to snuff, especially when it concerns whole establishments, such as healthcare practices. In this day and age, standing out as a healthcare provider is more difficult than ever. It’s as much a matter of advertising quality and relying on reputation as it is bringing such quality to the table.

A task such as bringing an institution out of a recessing trend, or even just bringing it up to a certain standard, can be daunting to say the least. With increasing standards to meet, being a political hot topic in Washington DC, and a disheartening lack of Americans without medical insurance, the stakes are high in the healthcare market, and no one wants to sacrifice the quality of the business/services offered.

Fortunately for healthcare providers, there are coaches and mentors out there to step in and help, called Leaders in Healthcare Transformation. In the Healthcare division at RMS, the Healthcare Transformation Team makes it their business to reach out and bring providers to the highest level of the NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance) Recognition possible. Should there be a section of the standards a practice does not meet with satisfaction, it is the Transformation teams job to counsel the practitioners in ways to expand and adhere to patient well-being.

But, why bring your healthcare center up to NCQA standards? To have the NCQA seal of approval is to have a testimony of the quality your services provide. It’s a reliable indicator that the practice is a well-run, state-of-the-art facility where patients come first. It’s essentially adding further credit to the provider’s name.

The process in which a practice goes about meeting NCQA standards at Levels 1, 2 or 3, is rigorous, with more than 60 different sub-standards and elements the establishment must meet on a point system (much like an SAT). There is a lot of collaboration involved between the physician seeking recognition and the Transformation Team, a lot of paperwork and documentation to be accounted for. We take you step-by-step through the whole process, help you in developing a work flow on how to improve your system, and ensure you that your full potential as a healthcare practice is realized.

It can be a long, frustrating road. However, the Transformation team acts as enablers as well as counselors. We’re here to cheer you on as you improve and account for your practice’s standards. When NCQA standards are finally met, we celebrate alongside you and your new and improved practice. We do our best to make the road to NCQA accreditation as easy as possible.

RMS Healthcare can help you begin the important process of improving your practice and expanding your patient satisfaction. If you have questions on how to bring your healthcare practice up to NCQA standards, or are interested in taking the first step with our NCQA consultants, please call RMS at 1-866-567-5422.