The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognized Kentucky REC as a Partner in Quality (PIQ), indicating Kentucky REC supports practices in pursuit of true practice transformation. This recognition is based on clinical standards established to improve the measurable quality of health care provided.

Transforming a practice to a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) integrates the patient as an active participant in their own health and wellbeing. An engaged patient is cared for by a physician who leads the medical team and coordinates all aspects of patient care using appropriate medicine and technology. NCQA, among other organizations, believes PCMH provides better quality care, lower costs and an improved care experience for the patient.

Kentucky REC offers PCMH consulting services to assist practices with the transformation to a PCMH approach to care. With this new recognition from NCQA, Kentucky REC can not only help transform a practice but also help practices become PCMH recognized. This designation allows Kentucky REC to offer those pursing NCQA PCMH recognition a discount on fees.

NCQA recently released a story lauding Regional Extension Centers supporting practice transformation efforts and ONC’s Medical Home Community of Practice.

In 2014, RECs worked with more than 900 provider practice sites as part of the Medical Home Community of Practice’s goal to help practices transform into recognized medical homes—164 have earned recognized medical home status, 108 are directly associated with NCQA PCMH Recognition.

Approximately 50 percent of clinicians who are part of a recognized NCQA PCMH are also enrolled in a REC and nearly 77 percent of those providers are part of a level 3 PCMH medical home.

RECs support EHR optimization, clinical workflow redesign and practice transformation by:
• Providing on-the-ground assistance to large and small practices and rural hospitals.
• Enhancing coordination of care among providers.
• Delivering ongoing support to practices as they continue to transform.
• Providing consultative and technical assistance.
• Assisting with documentation audit and ISS Survey Tool submission.

Many RECs have elected to become NCQA PCMH Partners in Quality, offering limited no-cost assistance to practices seeking NCQA PCMH Recognition.View this list of RECs offering free PCMH assistance.

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