how does the national committee for quality assurance use health plan employer data and the information set data? be sure to explain how the information that's collected is used and by whom?

http://www.ncqa.org/

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) uses Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) data to measure and assess the quality of healthcare provided by health plans. Here's an explanation of how the collected data is used and by whom:

1. Data Collection:
- Health plans submit data to the NCQA on a yearly basis.
- The data collected consists of various measures related to healthcare quality, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and member satisfaction.

2. Quality Assessment:
- NCQA uses the HEDIS data to evaluate the performance of health plans.
- They assess how well the plans adhere to evidence-based guidelines and best practices for healthcare.
- The data is used to measure factors such as immunization rates, cancer screenings, prescription drug management, and more.

3. Comparison and Reporting:
- The collected data is used to compare the performance of different health plans against each other.
- NCQA creates reports and rankings to provide information to employers, consumers, and other stakeholders.
- The rankings help employers in making informed decisions while selecting health plans for their employees.
- Consumers can access the rankings to make informed choices about their healthcare options.

4. Improvement and Incentives:
- Health plans utilize the data provided by NCQA to identify areas for improvement.
- They can address gaps in quality of care, implement interventions, and measure their progress over time.
- The data also serves as a benchmark for health plans' improvement initiatives.
- In some cases, health plans may receive financial incentives or rewards for demonstrating superior performance based on the collected data.

In summary, NCQA uses HEDIS data to assess the quality of healthcare provided by health plans. The data is collected and reported by the health plans themselves, and it is further analyzed by NCQA for comparison and ranking purposes. The information is used by employers, consumers, and health plans themselves to make informed decisions, drive quality improvement, and provide incentives for high-performing plans.