This year marks a milestone for the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) – 35 years of advancing health care quality through standards, measurement, transparency, and accountability. As a long-standing Civitas partner in quality improvement, NCQA continues to shape the national conversation around person-centered, equitable, and data-informed care.
Join us as we take a closer look at NCQA’s mission, evolving priorities, and alignment with Civitas’ collective efforts to improve health through collaboration and data sharing.
A Mission Rooted in Accountability and Improvement
NCQA’s mission—to improve the quality of health care through measurement, transparency, and accountability—guides accreditation programs to standards development and much more. Their focus on safe, effective, equitable, and person-centered care has led to national frameworks influencing care delivery, health policy, and data sharing across the U.S.
"NCQA is a nationally respected leader in health care quality and accountability. As members they bring deep expertise in measurement and standards development at a time when our network is increasingly focused on demonstrating impact. They are trailblazers in digital quality measurement and have kept pace with our ever-evolving healthcare landscape. NCQA’s participation in Civitas signifies their commitment to our mission of using data to improve care and their desire to bring partners along through digital transformation resulting in better alignment and outcomes."
Reflecting on 35 Years of Impact
Over the past three decades, NCQA has pioneered performance measurement through tools like HEDIS®(the most widely used quality reporting tool in the country), accredited over 1,200 health plans, and shaped the evolution of value-based care. As NCQA commemorates its 35th anniversary, it is also preparing for leadership transition with the upcoming retirement of its founding president, Peggy O’Kane—recognized nationally for her influence on the quality movement.
To learn more about Peggy’s immense impact on the organization and the health care industry, check out:
How NCQA is Driving Digital Transformation
A central focus for NCQA is enabling digital quality measurement. Through efforts like the Bulk FHIR API Quality Coalition and the Digital Quality Implementers Community, NCQA is working with health plans, vendors, and partners to accelerate the use of standardized, interoperable data. Digital quality reporting offers opportunities for faster, more accurate insights that reduce administrative burden and improve care coordination.
Learn more about the NCQA Digital Quality Implementers Community.
Supporting Person-Centered and Community-Integrated Models
In recent years, NCQA has expanded its work to better reflect whole-person care, including:
- New HEDIS measures that incorporate social drivers of health
- Accreditation programs for community-based and behavioral health models
- State partnerships to support customized quality frameworks, like Tennessee’s community health worker accreditation
Programs such as the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) accreditation offer flexibility for local organizations while maintaining a strong accountability framework.
Joining and Collaborating with the Civitas Network
NCQA’s longstanding partnership with Civitas Networks for Health – which has been in place since Civitas’ founding in 2021 – reflects a shared commitment to data-driven, standards-based, community-rooted solutions. By engaging with Civitas members, NCQA gains insight into local innovation that can inform national quality standards. These collaborations help ensure that frameworks for measuring care remain aligned with real-world practice, equity goals, and population needs.
“Back in 2021, joining Civitas Networks for Health reflected our commitment to advancing data-driven, community-informed approaches to health care improvement – that is still true today. We see tremendous value in collaborating with likeminded organizations across the country that are putting interoperability, equity, and whole-person care into practice every day. Being part of this network helps us stay grounded in the realities of implementation and better align our quality standards with the needs of local communities.”
Looking Ahead: Modernizing for the Future
As health care systems continue to evolve, NCQA is focused on enabling real-world data use, advancing digital standards, and developing quality measures that reflect what matters most to patients and communities. Their strategic vision includes:
- Expanding tools that support integration of clinical and social care
- Strengthening data infrastructure for research, policy, and evaluation
- Supporting innovation at the local level while upholding national consistency
NCQA’s legacy includes establishing trusted frameworks for performance measurement and accountability. Its future is focused on digital transformation, community integration, and equity-informed innovation. As a Civitas member, NCQA contributes valuable expertise to our collective efforts to improve health outcomes and ensure quality care for all.
