Ratings Examiner Report on New York Health Plan Methodologies

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do some plans have to meet a certain number of requirements while other plans have to meet a different number of requirements?
A: Health plans that started their physician performance measurement programs after the New York Attorney General defined its requirements must meet all of the requirements. Health plans that had started programs before the Attorney General set the requirements were not required to immediately change their existing measurement methodologies, but these plans must currently meet all of the requirements related to transparency of their programs, including following processes for physicians to request corrections or changes or members to file complaints. The next time these plans measure their network physicians, they must comply with 100% of the requirements. Requirements that are not currently applicable to a particular plan are indicated in the plan results as "Not required at this time."

Q: Why are only certain plans in New York listed on this report?
A: Not all health plans in New York have programs in place to measure and report on the performance of physicians in their networks. Only plans with such programs in place and that have entered into agreements with the New York Attorney General are currently subject to a Ratings Examiner review.

Q: Does this website provide information on specific physicians and tell you which plans have better physicians?
A: No. This website was designed and developed to provide information on the results of the Ratings Examiner’s evaluation of how health plans, through their internal programs, assess physician performance and if those programs meet certain standards set by the New York Attorney General. For more details about specific plans’ measurement programs or about physicians in a particular plan’s network, please contact the plan directly.

Q: Why are the plan scores for most requirements 100%?
A: The New York Attorney General requires that plans meet the 100% compliance level on all requirements applicable to them. Plans that do not score 100% on a requirement must take corrective action and be re-evaluated to confirm that 100% compliance is attained.

Q: How do I file a complaint?
A: Health plans have a process for accepting and responding to oral and written member complaints about their physician measurement programs. If you are a member of a health plan included on this report and have a complaint about that plan’s physician performance measurement program, you may contact the plan directly. Please visit the plan’s web site for more information on filing a complaint. Alternately, you may register your complaint in writing to NCQA at customersupport@ncqa.org or to NCQA Customer Support, 1100 13th Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005