The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced they are intending for a summer launch of a program for Specialty Practice Recognition.  The program is slated to include some of the same elements required of Patient Centered Medical Home recognitions awarded to primary care providers.  These will include providing timely access to care and continuous improvement of quality of care.  (www.ncqa.org)

Since 2008, NCQA has recognized more than 4,000 primary care practices across the country in becoming Patient Centered Medical Homes.  Patient centered medical home is a transformative delivery system in which the primary care provider working with the patient and/or family provides comprehensive medical care.  The system seeks to improve access to care, increase satisfaction with care and result in better medical outcomes.  Recognized practices have had to validate the care coordination between the practice team and the patient, as well as with specialists assisting in managing the patient’s care.

Engaging specialty care practices will aim to improve quality driven patient-centered care.  It is the belief that the specialty standards will also focus on access and clinician-patient collaboration in the near future.

RMS Healthcare is a leader in providing healthcare transformation services and assisting practices to achieve PCMH recognition.  RMS Healthcare is available to assist the practice on the transformation journey.  We have proven experience in helping more than 50 primary care practices achieve recognition.  If you would like further information on the services of RMS Healthcare, please call Susan Maxsween, Healthcare Transformation Manager at (315) 635-9802 or at SusanM@rmsresults.com.